The work of Jean-Dominique Cassini (8 June 1625-14 September 1712) in the field of astronomical science took place during a period of profound change, marked in particular by instrumental developments, new methods of observation, new theories and the emergence of new scientific institutions. From his first publications in the 1660s and throughout his almost forty years at the Paris Observatory, J.D. Cassini was a key player in these developments. This symposium takes the opportunity of the 400th anniversary of the astronomer’s birth to take stock of current research into this major contribution, which it proposes to address in four areas.
- Institutional. In particular, the work will be placed within the context of the Paris Observatory and the Royal Academy of Sciences of the time, the networks and learned societies of Europe, and the inventories of Cassini’s archives held in current institutions.
- Scientific. Cassini’s contribution to astronomical observations, geodesy, gnomonics and meteorology will be discussed, as will the legacy of his work in the 18th century, based in particular on original archives and his academic publications.
- The material production of knowledge. This section will focus on iconographic aspects ranging from the creation of handwritten drawings of observations on the spot to their printing, evoking the drawing up of celestial and geographical maps and the contributions of artists and engravers ;
- Historiography. This area will focus on Cassini’s contribution to the writing of a history of astronomy, in particular by examining his sources, putting his work as a historian into context and studying the posterity of this work.
See the programme Colloque_Cassini.pdf.
Conference organised by Christophe Schmit, Katherine Reinhart, Matthieu Husson, Dalia Deias.
