Related papers: V\'enus selon Ibn al-Shatir
We explore new opportunities for solar physics that could be realized by future missions providing sustained observations from vantage points away from the Sun-Earth line. These include observations from the far side of the Sun, at high…
Long-term measurements (1972-2015) of the reflectivity of Uranus at 472 and 551 nm display variability that is incompletely explained by seasonal effects. Spectral analysis shows this non-seasonal variability tracks the 11-year solar cycle.…
First post-Newtonian (PN) approximation of the scalar-tensor theory of gravity is used to discuss the effacing principle in N-body system, that is dependence of equations of motion of spherically-symmetric bodies comprising the system on…
In this paper, we describe a very simple method to calculate the positions of the planets in the sky. The technique used enables us to calculate planetary positions to an accuracy of $\stackrel{<}{_{\sim}} 1^{\circ}$ for $\pm 50$ years from…
The upcoming space missions, MESSENGER and BepiColombo with onboard instrumentation capable of measuring the rotational parameters stimulate the objective to reach an accurate theory of the rotational motion of Mercury. For obtaining the…
We describe the prediction, design, execution and calibration of stellar and solar occultation observations of Saturn's rings by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on the Cassini spacecraft. Particular attention…
The Law of Universal Gravitation is part of middle and high school's general physics and astronomy curricula. This topic is included in the most popular physics textbooks available as a fact whose origin remains in the detailed work of Sir…
We present a numerical scheme that solves the initial value problem in full general relativity for a binary neutron star in quasi-equilibrium. While Newtonian gravity allows for a strict equilibrium, a relativistic binary system emits…
We discuss Einstein's knowledge of projective geometry. We show that two pages of Einstein's Scratch Notebook from around 1912 with geometrical sketches can directly be associated with similar sketches in manuscript pages dating from his…
It is shown that the refraction near the horizon is introducing an additional bias into the Venus Tablet of Ammisaduqa, which is able to influence the interpretation of the data. We then discuss the attempts to link certain solar eclipses…
Bailey et al.~(2016) and Gomes et al.~(2016) recently suggested that the 6 degree misalignment between the Sun's rotational equator and the orbital plane of the major planets may be produced by the forcing from the hypothetical Planet Nine…
In Dantean cosmography the Universe is described as a series of concentric spheres with all the known planets embedded in their rotation motion, the Earth located at the centre and Lucifer at the centre of the Earth. Beyond these "celestial…
The chaotic nature of planet dynamics in the solar system suggests the relevance of a statistical approach to planetary orbits. In such a statistical description, the time-dependent position and velocity of the planets are replaced by the…
We present a new simple relativistic model for planetary motion describing accurately the anomalous precession of the perihelion of Mercury and its origin. The model is based on transforming Newton's classical equation for planetary motion…
In their account of theory change in logic, Aberdein and Read distinguish 'glorious' from 'inglorious' revolutions--only the former preserves all 'the key components of a theory' [1]. A widespread view, expressed in these terms, is that…
Recent studies have indicated that triple star systems may play a role in the formation of an appreciable number of planetary nebulae, however only one triple central star is known to date (and that system is likely too wide to have had…
Gerbert of Aurillac was the most prominent personality of the tenth century: astronomer, organ builder and music theoretician, mathematician, philosopher, and finally pope with the name of Silvester II (999-1003). Gerbert introduced firstly…
Translation from the Latin of "Annotationes in locum quendam Cartesii ad circuli quadraturam spectantem" (1763). The passage Euler is referring to is the "Excerpta" in part 6, p. 6 of Descartes' 1701 "Opuscula posthuma". Before reading this…
This essay demonstrates the key role of Astronomy in Botticelli's "Venus and Mars-NG915" painting, to date only very partially understood. Worthwhile coincidences among the principles of the Ficinian philosophy, the historical characters…
We present three reasons for rewriting the Einstein equation. The new version is physically equivalent but geometrically more clear. 1. We write $4 \pi$ instead of $8 \pi$ at the r.h.s, and we explain how this factor enters as surface area…