Elliptical orbit of planets
Date
1664
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p3
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 193mm
width (page): 148mm
width (page): 148mm
Subject
Description
An extract from Nicolas Mercator, Hypothesis astronomica nova, et consensus eius cum observationibus (London: Ex officina Leybourniana, 1664), where the diagram appears at p. 2. The diagram shows how a non-uniform motion of a planet in an elliptical orbit might be reduced to equal angles in equal times around the empty focus (F). By 1670, Mercator had understood Kepler’s area law.
Another version of this diagram can be found at Cl.P/8i/21/001.
Another version of this diagram can be found at Cl.P/8i/21/001.
Transcription
Hypothesis nova, omnium planetarum, primariorum motibus
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
Nicolas Mercator, Hypothesis astronomica nova, et consensus eius cum observationibus (London: Ex officina Leybourniana, 1664), p. 2
Related fellows
Nicolas Mercator (1614 - 2001, British) , Mathematician
Associated place