PRESENTATION OF THE TEAM
The research currently carried out by the History of Astronomical Sciences team, institutionally created in 1995 within SYRTE, consists in a study of the practices in astronomical sciences from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Astronomical observations, mathematics, physics, celestial mechanics, geodesy, cartography, cosmology, atmospheric phenomena, meteorology, instruments, cultural contexts and places of production of this knowledge interact and compose the field covered by this science whose evolutions can only be understood over the long term.
The history team essentially develops a conceptual approach to the sources that it articulates around the notions of observations, measurements, uncertainties and modelling, from which it also intends to create a space for exchanges between history and contemporary science. It also works to make the Observatoire de Paris an object of study in terms of its archives and collections. Finally, it publishes critical editions of manuscripts and ancient prints in paper format and in the field of digital humanities.
Research Axes:
Three chronological axes and a transversal theme structure her work.
Astronomy and mathematics in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
- History of mathematical and astronomical practices in Europe in the 12th-16th centuries, history of Alfonsine astronomy
- Research in digital humanity for the edition and analysis of ancient and medieval astronomical sources
Physical-mathematical sciences in the 17th and 18th centuries
- Construction of physico-mathematical knowledge (rational mechanics, mechanical philosophy, astronomy, optics, physics etc.).
- Critical and commented paper and digital editions
Physics and Astronomy in contemporary times
- Theoretical physics (special relativity, general relativity, electrodynamics, atmospheric physics)
- Institutionalization of physics and education (engineering schools, learned societies, newspapers)
Paris Observatory: institution, practices, actors
- History of scientific practices and historiography (observation journals, memoirs, personal archives, instruments etc.)
- Institutional history
SEMINARS
The history team is organizing a monthly seminar starting in January 2022.
Its presentation and program are accessible through this link: