Mathematical Treasure: Astronomy of Hevelius and Hevelius

Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687) was a Polish born astronomer and instrument maker who functioned within the German Empire. Well respected for his work, he discovered new comets and constellations. The astronomer published some of his findings in Cometographia (1668). In this work, Hevelius theorized that comets orbit past the sun in parabolic paths. Here are images, courtesy of the University of Oklahoma Library, of this book’s title page and frontispiece:

Hevelius studied astronomy under Peter Crüger (1580-1639). Crüger began the construction of a large azimuthal quadrant. He did not finish the project; the quadrant was completed by his student, Hevelius. A print showing the quadrant was included as Figure H in the first volume of Machina coelestis, published by Hevelius in 1673.

Hevelius’s wife, Catherina Elisabetha Koopman Hevelius (1647-1693), was also an astronomer. The print below, which appears as Figure O in Machina coelestis, shows Elisabetha and Johannes working together.

Both of the images from Machina coelestis above were presented courtesy of the Smithsonian Libraries.

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