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Angelo Secchi and Nineteenth Century Science

The Multidisciplinary Contributions of a Pioneer and Innovator

  • Book
  • © 2021

Overview

Editors:
  1. Ileana Chinnici

    1. INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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  2. Guy Consolmagno

    1. Vatican Observatory, Vatican City State, Vatican City State

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    You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Provides sorely needed English-language coverage of a vital figure in 19th century Italian and international science and astronomy
  • Contains previously unpublished research and source material
  • Examines Secchi’s life through an interdisciplinary lens

Part of the book series: Historical & Cultural Astronomy (HCA)

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Table of contents (21 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxviii
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  2. The Historical and Cultural Context

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. An Introduction to Angelo Secchi and his Collegio Romano Observatory

      • Aldo Altamore, Matteo Galaverni, Christopher J. Corbally
      Pages 3-22

    3. The Scientific Tradition of the Society of Jesus and the Formation of Angelo Secchi

      • Ugo Baldini
      Pages 23-41

    4. Between Science and Religion: Angelo Secchi and his Time

      • Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti
      Pages 43-63

    5. Angelo Secchi: Portrait of a “Multi-versed” Jesuit Scientist

      • Ileana Chinnici
      Pages 65-80

  3. Secchi’s Scientific Contributions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 81-81
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    2. Angelo Secchi, Stellar Spectroscopy, Solar Physics, and Visual Science Culture

      • Klaus Hentschel
      Pages 83-104

    3. Planetary Observations by Angelo Secchi

      • Richard McKim, William Sheehan
      Pages 105-121

    4. The Legacy of Angelo Secchi at the Forefront of Solar Physics Research

      • Ilaria Ermolli, Marco Ferrucci
      Pages 123-136

    5. Angelo Secchi, Instrument Innovator

      • Kevin L. Johnson
      Pages 137-151

    6. Angelo Secchi and Meteorology in Italy

      • Luigi Iafrate, Maria Carmen Beltrano
      Pages 153-174

    7. Secchi’s Meteorographs Outside of Italy

      • Paolo Brenni
      Pages 175-194

    8. Secchi’s Book on “The Unity of Physical Forces”

      • Roberto Capuzzo-Dolcetta
      Pages 195-199

    9. The Measurement of the Geodetic Baselines Along the Via Appia Antica

      • Tullio Aebischer
      Pages 201-214

    10. The History and Future of the Secchi Disk

      • Oliver Zielinski
      Pages 215-224

    11. Angelo Secchi and the Development of Geophysics in Italy

      • Alessio Argentieri, Maurizio Parotto
      Pages 225-242

    12. Angelo Secchi and the Measurement of Time

      • Maria Luisa Tuscano
      Pages 243-260

    13. Secchi’s Science in the Service of the Public

      • Monica Calzolari, Stefano Marsella
      Pages 261-276

  4. Some Late Issues

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 277-277
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Keywords

About this book

Angelo Secchi was a key figure in 19th century science. An Italian Jesuit and scientist, he helped lead the transition from astronomy to astrophysics and left a lasting legacy in the field. Secchi’s spectral classification of stars was a milestone that paved the way for modern astronomical research. He was also a founder of modern meteorology and an innovator in the design and development of new instruments and methods across disciplines.
This contributed volume collects together reviews from an international group of historians, scientists and scholars representing the multiple disciplines where Secchi made significant contributions during his remarkable career. It analyzes both his famous and lesser known pioneering efforts with equal vigor, providing a well-rounded narrative of his life’s work. Beyond his scientific and technological work, his role as a Jesuit priest in Rome during the turbulent years of the mid 19th century is also described and placed in the context of his scientific and civic activities.



Reviews

“There is an impressive amount of well-presented information in this book. … The chapters in this book are fully referenced and often give original text as well as translations of quotations. There are numerous illustrations, many excellent. The book will fit well in a specialist library and is a good monument to Secchi … .” (Peredur Williams, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1284), October, 2021)

Editors and Affiliations

  • INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Ileana Chinnici

  • Vatican Observatory, Vatican City State, Vatican City State

    Guy Consolmagno

About the editors

Ileana Chinnici is an astronomer at the INAF-Palermo Astronomical Observatory. Her field of research is the history of astronomy and she is the author of many publications in this field. In 1996-2004 she was curator of the astronomical museum of the Observatory and is presently in charge of its historical collections. Her interests are focused on the history of astronomy and astrophysics in the 19th century, especially exploiting archival resources. She is currently a member of the Organizing Committee of the Commission C3 (History of Astronomy) of the International Astronomical Union.
Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ is Director of the Vatican Observatory. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan, received SM and SM degrees from MIT, and earned his PhD in Planetary Sciences from the University of Arizona in 1978. His scientific research explores the physical properties of meteorites and their connection with origin and evolution of asteroids and planets. Along with more than 200 scientific publications, he is the author of six popular astronomy books. In 2014 he received the Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences for excellence in public communication in planetary science.


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