Transit of Mercury
Date
11 November 1677
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p18
Material
Dimensions
: 313mm
: 200mm
: 200mm
Subject
Content object
Description
A figure of the transit of Mercury on 11 November 1677 (new style) observed by Johannes Hevelius at Leipzig. In his letter to Oldenburg dated 6 November 1677, Hevelius explains that his observation was hindered by bad weather. Oldenburg had died in September 1677. A collection of Hevelius's letters was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 3 January 1678.
This is copied at LBC/8/022.
This is copied at LBC/8/022.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 3 January 1678, ‘The epitome of six papers from Mr. Hevelius to the secretary was read. The first marked A, was a letter about several particulars. The second marked B, contained an account of the occultation of Saturn by the moon, which he would have observed, but that the weather prevented him. C was concerning the transit of mercury through the sun. D a catalogue of the distances and positions of Saturn to the moon. E a scheme or draught of the same observed through a twelve and twenty foot telescope. F farther observations of the changes of the star in Collo Ceti continued to December 6, 1677. N. S.’ (Birch, 3:372).
Related fellows
Johannes Hevelius (1611 - 1687, German/Polish) , Astronomer
Henry Oldenburg (1612 - 1677, German) , Scientific correspondent
Henry Oldenburg (1612 - 1677, German) , Scientific correspondent
Associated place