Article ID: CBB977716225

The bright side of the Moon: The historical journey of our tidally locked satellite (2024)

unapi

Abstract The paper discusses a major shift in the (Western) science of our Moon. It reconsiders well-known developments, as the Aristotelian concept of distinct celestial and terrestrial worlds in which the Moon was one of seven perfect planetary spheres gave way to our modern view of a very Earth-like body, even endowed at one stage with oceans and continents. It examines the impact of pre-telescopic and telescopic observations in the period 1560 to 1660, notably those of Galileo Galilei and William Gilbert. Its new perspective is to present the strong evidence that supported the idea of the Moon as a planet. In large part this was because it is now known that aspects of the Moon’s orbit are unusual compared with the multiplicity of “moons” in the Solar System. It argues that a major reason was Aristotle’s influential argument for the theoretical impossibility of lunar libration. It concludes with the extraordinary work of William Gilbert (1544-1603) who, it is argued, was the true discoverer of libration because Galileo, who is often credited with it, failed to grasp the necessary dynamics of lunar motion. Notwithstanding, both played crucial roles in the emerging conception of our Moon as “another Earth”. Human activity is now degrading both bodies.

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Authors & Contributors
Ariew, Roger
Pumfrey, Stephen
Shea, William R.
Battistini, Andrea
Beretta, Francesco
Cassini, Paolo
Journals
Galilæana: Journal of Galilean Studies
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Bruniana & Campanelliana: Ricerche Filosofiche e Materiali Storico-testuali
Journal for the History of Astronomy
Annals of Science: The History of Science and Technology
Intersezioni: Rivista di Storia delle ldee
Concepts
Astronomy
Moon
Aristotelianism
Cosmology
Physics
Cartography
People
Galilei, Galileo
Gilbert, William
Kepler, Johannes
Plutarch
Benedetti, Giovanni Battista
Biancani, Giuseppe
Time Periods
17th century
16th century
Renaissance
Medieval
Early modern
Places
Italy
Great Britain
Venice (Italy)
France
Pisa (Italy)
Institutions
Jesuits (Society of Jesus)
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