Francesco Bianchini (1662–1729) and the Origins of Planetary Globes

Horst, Thomas und Tirapicos, Luís (2020): Francesco Bianchini (1662–1729) and the Origins of Planetary Globes. In: Nuncius : Annali di Storia della Scienza, Vol. 35: pp. 251-273

Abstract

The Veronese astronomer Francesco Bianchini (1662–1729) was a prominent figure at the papal court in the pontificates of Clement XI (pp. 1700–1721), Innocent XII (pp. 1721–1724), and Benedict XIII (pp. 1724–1730). In his influential treatise Hesperi et Phosphori Nova Phaenomena sive Observationes circa Planetam Veneris, published in Rome in 1728, he presents the first cartographical depiction of Venus, containing the gores for a globe. Bianchini also produced at least four Venus globes of which two still exist as original models in Paris (BNF) and Bologna (Museo della Specola). With this set of globes, Bianchini provided the first identified three-dimensional model of a planet (if we exclude earlier cartographical examples of the Earth and the Moon). In this article we address the conceptual and technological changes permitting the emergence of planetary globes.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: planetary globes; Francesco Bianchini (1662-1729); planet Venus
• Faculties: History and Art History > Department of History > Methods of Historiography and Historiographical Studies of Media
• Subjects: 500 Science > 520 Astronomy; 900 History and geography > 900 Geschichte; 900 History and geography > 910 Geography and travel
• ISSN: 1825-3911
• Language: English