Moser, Desmond E. (Author)
The writings of Niels Stensen (Steno) on mineral growth and modification in his Prodromus, together with his work on time and process in other solids, are here synthesized as five classes of time features defined by changes in the visible continuity of either or both chemistry and orientation. This organization highlights Steno’s implicit recognition of the fractal, scale-invariant nature of natural time features with regard to space, time, and material. The effectiveness of this Stenonian geochronology framework is demonstrated down to atom scale with modern case studies of the U-Pb geochronology of mineral zircon in samples originating from the Earth, Moon, and Mars spanning most of solar system history. Recently discovered nano-scale features, here termed chronostructures, were intimated by Steno in his corpuscular view of mineral behaviour. The remarkable advances in the Prodromus are seen here as resulting from the intersections of Steno’s highly attuned approach to visual perception, his adoption of Stoic (Senecan) ethics early in his career to guide his natural philosophy, and the influence of the Galilean scientific environment of Florence. It is argued that the scale-invariant, intensive quality of Stenonian geochronology makes it an invaluable check on the accuracy of absolute, extensive measurements of geologic time by chemical or isotopic means. In this way Steno’s scientific legacy continues to propel human understanding of how we see our place in time.
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Article
Silvio Menchetti;
(2021)
How do Crystals Grow? Steno’s Approach
(/isis/citation/CBB671869116/)
Article
Gian Battista Vai;
(2021)
Leonardo da Vinci's and Nicolaus Steno's geology
(/isis/citation/CBB286856019/)
Book
Belli, Gabriella;
Giacomoni, Paola;
Ottani Cavina, Anna;
(2003)
Montagna: Arte, scienza, mito da Dürer a Warhol
(/isis/citation/CBB000741141/)
Article
Alan H. Cutler;
(2021)
Steno and the Rock Cycle
(/isis/citation/CBB133993345/)
Article
Massimo Aliverti;
(2021)
A letter by Nicolaus Steno about a cavern near Como
(/isis/citation/CBB479698684/)
Article
Stefano Dominici;
(2021)
A man with a master plan: Steno’s observations on earth’s history
(/isis/citation/CBB767123510/)
Article
Troels Kardel;
(2021)
Nicolaus Steno on solutes and solvents in time-related structural changes of muscles, fossils, landscapes and crystals, his Galilean heritage
(/isis/citation/CBB106475077/)
Article
Stefano Dominici;
Gary D. Rosenberg;
(2021)
Introduction: Nicolaus Steno and earth science in early modern Italy
(/isis/citation/CBB445450656/)
Book
Ovidio Montalbani;
Linda Bisello;
(2017)
Del vento e delle comete: Speculazioni accademiche
(/isis/citation/CBB450320639/)
Article
Alessandro Iannace;
(2019)
A three-step view for the history of geology
(/isis/citation/CBB447026128/)
Essay Review
Hamm, E. P.;
(2000)
Shipwrecked Romanticism? Henrich Steffens and the Career of Naturphilosophie
(/isis/citation/CBB000110340/)
Article
Francesco Luzzini;
(2020)
Sounding the depths of Providence: Mineral (re)generation and human-environment interaction in the early modern period
(/isis/citation/CBB187063360/)
Chapter
Thomsen, Elsebeth;
(2009)
Niels Stensen---Steno, in the World of Collections and Museums
(/isis/citation/CBB001021038/)
Chapter
Yamada, Toshihiro;
(2009)
Hooke--Steno Relations Reconsidered: Reassessing the Roles of Ole Borch and Robert Boyle
(/isis/citation/CBB001021040/)
Article
Francesco Luzzini;
(2020)
“Per la vertù propria dell’acque”. Vene minerali e sorgenti nella Pirotechnia di Vannoccio Biringuccio (1540)
(/isis/citation/CBB421613790/)
Chapter
Ziggelaar, August;
(2009)
The Age of Earth in Niels Stensen's Geology
(/isis/citation/CBB001021042/)
Book
Sequeiros, Leandro;
Pelayo López, Francisco;
(2011)
Nicolás Steno, los estratos y el Diluvio Universal
(/isis/citation/CBB001210013/)
Chapter
J. Bek-Thomsen;
(2013)
From Flesh to Fossils - Nicolaus Steno's Anatomy of the Earth
(/isis/citation/CBB556396453/)
Chapter
Vai, Gian Battista;
(2009)
The Scientific Revolution and Nicholas Steno's Twofold Conversion
(/isis/citation/CBB001021047/)
Chapter
Olden-Jørgensen, Sebastian;
(2009)
Nicholas Steno and René Descartes: A Cartesian Perspective on Steno's Scientific Development
(/isis/citation/CBB001021044/)
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