Saturn's ring
Date
31 August 1661
Creator
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p2
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 244mm
width (page): 189mm
width (page): 189mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Image of Saturn's ring in Bernard Frenicle de Bessy's letter to Kenelm Digby, which was read (in translation) by Digby at the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 September 1661.
Frenicle criticised Christian Huygens's adjustment of the inclination of Saturn's ring, and also argued that the ring could not be circular but elliptical - otherwise, Saturn would have been observed as indicated in the image. Frenicle transmitted his views to Kenelm Digby, a Fellow of the Royal Society. (Albert Van Helden, 'Annulo Cingitur: The Solution of the Problem of Saturn', Journal of the History of Astronomy, 5 (1974), 155-74 (p. 166).)
The translated letter is at EL/F1/2/002. There is a copy in LBO/1/014.
Frenicle criticised Christian Huygens's adjustment of the inclination of Saturn's ring, and also argued that the ring could not be circular but elliptical - otherwise, Saturn would have been observed as indicated in the image. Frenicle transmitted his views to Kenelm Digby, a Fellow of the Royal Society. (Albert Van Helden, 'Annulo Cingitur: The Solution of the Problem of Saturn', Journal of the History of Astronomy, 5 (1974), 155-74 (p. 166).)
The translated letter is at EL/F1/2/002. There is a copy in LBO/1/014.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 September 1661, '[Sir Kenelm Digby] read also a French letter from Monsieur Frenicle to himself, dated at Paris, the 31st of August 1661, N. S. concerning that gentleman’s hypothesis of the motion of Saturn; and was desired to write to Mr. Frenicle, and to return him the thanks of the society’ (Birch 1:43).
Related fellows
Kenelm Digby (1603 - 1665, British) , Courtier
Associated place