Theories of Planetary Motion: An 18th C. Framed Celestial Map by Doppelmayr, 1736

Description

This 18th century hand-colored copperplate celestial map by Johann Doppelmayr entitled "Theoria Planetarum Primariorum In qua ipsorum motus in Copernicano … more This 18th century hand-colored copperplate celestial map by Johann Doppelmayr entitled "Theoria Planetarum Primariorum In qua ipsorum motus in Copernicano Systemate tam ex Kepleri et recentiorum Astronomorum, quam aliorum, uit Sethi, Wardi, Ismaeliz, Bulliadi, et Nicolai Mercatoris Hypothesibus Elliptici Deomonstrantur" (The theory of the basic planets in which their motions in the Copernicus system are demonstrated both from Kepler's modern astronomers and those of others like Sethi, Wardi, Ismaeliz, Bulliad, and Nicolas Merchant are demonstrated by the hypothesis of an elliptical) was incorporated as plate 4 in 'Atlas Novus Coelestis in quo Mundus Spectabilis', first published in Nuremberg, Germany in 1735 in association with the heirs of the famous and prolific cartographer and printer Johann Baptist Homann. 'Atlas Novus Coelestis in Quo Mundus spectabilis, et in Eodem Tam Errantium Quam Inerrantium Stellarum Phoenomena notabilia, Circa Ipsarum lumen, figuram, faciem, motum, Eclipses.secundum Nic. Copernici, et Ex Parte Tychonis De Brahe, Hypothesin' (The New Atlas of the Celestial World in which the World is to be Looked at, and the Phenomena Notable in the Same of the Errants and the Inerrant Stars, with respect to their light, shape, face, motion, and eclipses according to Nic. Copernicus and Tycho De Brahe: Hypothesis) includes diagrams illustrating the planetery systems of Copernicus, Tycho, and Riccioli; the elliptic theories of Kepler, Boulliau, Seth Ward, and Mercator; the lunar theories of Tycho, Horrocks, and Newton; and Halley's cometary theory. This plate and others were originally created by Doppelmayr for scientific publication by the academic society Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum to show the movements of Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus and Earth according to Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), who combined Copernican and Ptolemaic astronomical systems in his attempt to explain the universe through observed data, including the orbits of the known planets at the time.
This interesting celestial chart/map depicts movements of the planets based upon the theories of Copernicus and Kepler. Both of these early astronomers promoted heliocentric theories of the solar system in which the planets orbit the sun. They differed in their concept of the shape of the planetary orbits. Copernicus believed the planetary orbits were circular, while Kepler believed planetary orbits were elliptical. Text within the print explain Kepler's theories, as well as Ismael Bullialdus, Seth Ward, and Nicolaus Mercator.
This framed 18th century double page hand-colored engraved celestial map is printed on chain-linked laid paper. It is presented in an attractive polished medium brown-colored frame with contrasting black inner and outer trim. The frame measures 31.25" high by 34.88" wide by 1" in depth. There are a few small frame abrasions. The double mat consists of a beige fabric outer mat and a cranberry-colored inner mat. There is a central fold, as issued with mild separation of the lower fold, but the visible portions of the print are otherwise in very good condition. less