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London: W. Clowes & Sons, 1846. First edition. EVANS 24 - A TRIUMPH OF GRAVITATIONAL ASTRONOMY. First separate edition, presentation copy inscribed by Adams, of the discovery of Neptune, "undeniably one of the major scientific events of the nineteenth century" (Lequeux, p. 22). Adams (1819-92) and the French astronomer Urban Le Verrier (1811-77) independently predicted the existence and position of Neptune using Newton's gravitational theory, and the existence of the planet was quickly confirmed by observation. "In this pamphlet Adams had postulated mathematically the existence of an unknown planet from its gravitational manifestations. Le Verrier simultaneously and independently made the same discovery. J.G. Galle found the planet, Neptune, on the first night it was sought, on the basis of Le Verrier's prediction" (Dibner). "Adams began his investigation of Uranus in 1843, and in 1845 sent his calculations and observations to the Astronomer Royal, George Biddell Airy, who failed to recognise the…
Read More An Explanation of the Observed Irregularities in the Motion of Uranus, on the Hypothesis of Disturbances caused by a more Distant Planet by Adams, John Couch - 1847
by Adams, John Couch
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An Explanation of the Observed Irregularities in the Motion of Uranus, on the Hypothesis of Disturbances caused by a more Distant Planet
by Adams, John Couch
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THE RACE TO DISCOVER NEPTUNE. v, 584 pp., map. In 8-page sheets, folded and untrimmed, accompanied by buff printed wrapper. Protective folding case. Fine. Item also includes: JAMES CHALLIS. An Account of Observations undertaken in search of the Planet discovered at Berlin on Sept. 23, 1846. [and] G. B. AIRY. Account of some Circumstances historically connected with the Discovery of the Planet exterior to Uranus. All in Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. XVI. "One of the most interesting chapters in the history of astronomy" (Encylopedia Britannica, 11th ed.). The discovery of Neptune is highlighted by two singular features: that its existence was correctly surmised on a theoretical prediction, and the contention between its contemporaneous discoverers, British astronomer John Adams and French mathematician Urbain Le Verrier. This volume presents Adams's case to the Royal Astronomical Society. After a brief but intense period of public controversy, Adams and Le Verrier were each granted the status of "co-discoverer." Adams was an amateur astronomer from an early age and had noticed, along with many scientists, irregularities in the orbit predicted for Uranus. Fresh out of university, Adams presented his findings in 1845 to Challis, then to Royal Astronomer Airy, in the hopes of instigating a search for a hypothetical undiscovered planet. His findings were paid no serious attention until 1846, when Le Verrier published accounts of his own search, having reached the same conclusion as Adams. When their story was picked up by the London Times, Challis looked back through his notes and realized he had spotted the planet but had not recognized it among the stars he had recorded. Challis, Airy, and Adams brought their case before the Royal Astronomical Society in November of 1846, and their papers are reproduced here in the annual "Memoirs" of the Society.
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- Publisher All in Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. XVI. London: Published by the Society
- Date Published 1847
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An Explanation of the Observed Irregularities in the Motion of Uranus, on the Hypothesis of Disturbances caused by a more Distant Planet; with a determination of the mass, orbit and position of the disturbing body. (From the Appendix to the Nautical Almanac for the year 1851.)
by ADAMS, John Couch
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