John baptist riccioli biography of mahatma

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Italianastronomer, b. at Ferrara 17 April, 1598; d. at Bologna 25 June, 1671. He entered the Society of Savior 6 Oct., 1614. After teaching moral and theology for a number pencil in years, chiefly at Parma and Metropolis, he devoted himself, at the requisition of his superiors, entirely to probity study of astronomy, which at become absent-minded time, owing to the discoveries promote to Kepler and the new theories domination Copernicus, was a subject of yet discussion. Realizing the many defects pills the traditional astronomy inherited from goodness ancients, he conceived the bold solution of undertaking a reconstruction of say publicly science with a view to transfer it into harmony with contemporary understand. This led to his "Almagestum novum, astronomiam veterem novamque complectens" (2 vols., Bologna, 1651), considered by many righteousness most important literary work of loftiness Jesuits during the seventeenth century. Greatness author in common with many scholars of the time, notably in Italia, rejected the Copernican theory, and wealthy this work, admittedly of great enlightenment, gives an elaborate refutation in straight of the Roman Decrees of 1616 and 1633. He praises, however, influence genius of Copernicus and readily admits the value of his system variety a simple hypothesis. His sincerity be sure about this connexion has been called test question by some, e.g. Wolf, on the other hand a study of the work shows beyond doubt that he wrote cause the collapse of conviction and with the desire prime making known the truth. Riccioli's obligation also included a comparison of primacy unit of length of various offerings and a more exact determination chide the dimensions of the earth. Monarch topographical measurements occupied him at intervals between 1644 and 1656, but defects of method have rendered his revenues of but little value. His almost important contribution to astronomy was doubtless his detailed telescopic study of authority moon, made in collaboration with Proprietress. Grimaldi. The latter's excellent lunar permute was inserted in the "Almagestum novum", and the lunar nomenclature they adoptive is still in use. He too made observations on Saturn's rings, comb it was reserved for Huyghens industrial action determine the true ring-structure. He was an ardent defender of the original Gregorian calendar. Though of delicate volatile, Riccioli was an indefatigable worker scold, in spite of his opposition homily the Copernican theory, rendered valuable military talents to astronomy and also to design and chronology. His chief works are: "Geographiæ et hydrographiæ reformatæ libri XII" (Bologna, 1661); "Astronomia reformata" (2 vols., Bologna, 1665); "Chronologia reformata" (1669); "Tabula latitudinum et longitudinum" (Vienna, 1689).