Late Babylonian astronomy and astrology

Abstract

An advantage to this approach of reproducing the notebooks is that it lets a reader peer over the observer’s shoulder as Amici records his measurements, sketches double star orientations, calculates average values, and sometimes doodles on the margins (see for instance p. 137). It also makes apparent information that may have disappeared had Amici ever published his catalog. For example, though he tells Herschel in a letter of February 1825 of observing the planet that “will hand down to posterity the glorious name of your family” (not realizing Herschel never referred to Uranus as “Herschel”), Amici’s notebook from that night reveals this to be a diplomatic lie. He records, in fact, that he measured the “diametro di Urano.” (It was 4.085”; see pp. 37, 119). On the other hand, the lack of an index forces readers interested in specific data to search the notebooks chronologically for when an object would have been visible. For example, observations from the night Herschel joined Amici at Modena and measured the diameter of Jupiter to test Amici’s new micrometer only appear in a “Memoria” on the final page of the second notebook (p. 139), easily missed. Likewise, as the components of γ Virginis swung toward their closest approach, Herschel coordinated as many observations of the prominent double star as possible. Amici measured the star on 30 April 1815, when it was at a comfortable separation (p. 111), but did he ever observe it again? An online version of this reproduction, though not as enjoyable to leaf through, might answer such a question with search functionality. The volume also includes an inventory of Amici’s astronomical library and concludes with attractive full-color plates, including images of Amici’s instruments with descriptive captions in Italian and English. Amici’s double star catalog formed a significant part of his works and correspondence, and this lovingly-produced volume thus forms an integral part of the Edizione.