The ninth book of the great Jesuit astronomer's New Almagest, complete in five sections: the substance and accidents of the heavens, drawn from Genesis and the mind of the Fathers; the movers and motions of the celestial bodies; the systems of the world built around an immobile Earth, from Ptolemy and Tycho to Riccioli's own; the celebrated examination of the system of the Earth in motion, in which the arguments for and against Copernicus are weighed at a length and with a fairness unmatched in the seventeenth century; and the harmonic system of the world. In English for the first time.
Astronomy & natural philosophy · 17th century
Almagestum Novum, Book IX: On the System of the World
Giovanni Battista Riccioli, S.J. (1598–1671) · translated from the Latin of the Almagestum Novum, Bologna, 1651
Section I — the substance and accidents of the heavens (PDF)
Section II — the movers and motions of the heavens (PDF)
Section III — the world-systems around the immobile Earth (PDF)
Section IV — the system of the Earth in motion (PDF)
Section V — the harmonic system of the world (PDF)
Original Latin text — the Bologna printing of 1651 at Google Books
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Contents
Section I — On the Substance and Certain Accidents of the Heavens and of the Celestial Bodies
- Chapter I, On the Work of the First Day; or, On the Creation of Heaven and Earth, of Light, and of Time, drawn from sacred Genesis and according to the mind of the Fathers and the Theologians pp. 200–216
- Chapter II, On the Work of the Second Day; or, What the Firmament made on that day was and is, and from what matter; and what, and of what kind, [are] the Waters above the heavens. pp. 217–224
- Chapter III, How many, and which, Heavens were founded by God on the First and Second day of the World? pp. 225
- Chapter IV, On the Work of the Fourth Day; that is, on the Luminaries and other Stars created, and placed in the heaven by God. pp. 226–233
- Chapter V, Whether the Heaven is a Simple body, or Composed of Form and Matter different from the elemental [matter]—or of the same kind as the elemental [matter]? And if [composed] of this [latter], from which element? pp. 233–236
- Chapter VI, Whether the Heaven is Generable and Corruptible pp. 237–238
- Chapter VII, Whether the Heavens are Solid, or rather Fluid — all, or some pp. 239–244
- Chapter VIII, Whether the Heavens and the Stars are Animate pp. 245–246
- Chapter IX, Whether the Heaven is Infinite, and whether [it is] of a Spherical Figure pp. 247
Section II — On the Movers and Motions of the Heavens
- Chapter I, Whether the Heavens or Stars are Moved by Intelligences, or rather from within, by their own Form or Nature pp. 247–251
- Chapter II, On the Instruments of the Celestial Motions: whether they are solid Orbs, or mere Circles describable in the fluid ether; and [whether] these [are] Eccentrics with Epicycles, or mere Concentrics pp. 252–254
- Chapter III, Whether there is a Motion of the Prime Mobile distinct from the motion of the Fixed [stars] and the Planets, and in what subject [it is]; and whether the motion of the secondary Mobiles is contrary to it; and by what reasoning these two motions can be reconciled together pp. 255–262
- Chapter IV, Whether the Proper Motion of the Stars is, of itself and by the primary Intention of nature (or rather of God and the moving Intelligence), Equal, or rather Unequal—yet ordered, and Regularly unequal, and sufficient for manifesting God and his Providence pp. 263–268
- Chapter V, Whether the Moving Intelligences of the Heaven and Stars *per se* intend the description of some Geometrical Figure, or depend on it as on a Rule; or whether rather they accomplish the motions by the numbers of Logistic [calculation] alone; and whether the same [thing] must be attempted by men in the exposition of these motions pp. 269
- Chapter VI, Whether the Proportions of the celestial motions are knowable by us in this life, and expressible [effable]; and whether [they are] all rational, or rather some irrational; where [we treat] of the Revolutions of them all into the same [point] pp. 270
- Chapter VII, On the Sound and Concent, that is, on the Harmony, of the celestial motions pp. 271
Section III — On the System of the World around the Immobile Earth
- Chapter I, On the Number of the Total Heavens pp. 272–276
- Chapter II, What and How Manifold the System of the World is; and on the most ancient Systems, and especially that of Pythagoras, Archimedes, and Pliny, which is wont to be called the Ptolemaic, and flourished down to Clavius pp. 277–280
- Chapter III, On the System of Plato, of the Platonists, of Geber, and of Theon; on which occasion the System of Cicero is disputed pp. 281–282
- Chapter IV, On the System of the Egyptians—or of Vitruvius, Martianus Capella, Macrobius, Bede, and Argoli pp. 283
- Chapter V, On the System of Eudoxus, Calippus, and Aristotle pp. 284–285
- Chapter VI, On the System of Averroes, Alpetragius, Delphinus, and Giovanni Battista Amici pp. 286
- Chapter VII, On the System of Giovanni Battista Turriano [Della Torre] and Girolamo Fracastoro pp. 287
- Chapter VIII, On the System of Tycho, Longomontanus, Blancanus, and of many Followers of Tycho pp. 288
- Chapter IX, On Our [Own] System pp. 271–289
Section IV — On the System of the Earth in Motion
- Chapter I, On the Dignity and Necessity of this Treatise; and on the Authors who have undertaken to defend or to attack this System pp. 291
- Chapter II, On the Authors who attributed to the Earth a Diurnal Whirling around its own center and axis pp. 292–293
- Chapter III, On the Authors who, besides the Diurnal Whirling, ascribed also the Annual Translation to the Earth; where, in passing, [it is asked] concerning Vesta — whether she was Earth or Fire pp. 294–296
- Chapter IV, There are distinctly explained the three or four Motions attributed to the Earth by Copernicus and his followers, and their properties and admirable conditions pp. 297–311
- Chapter V, Ten Arguments for the Diurnal Revolution of the Earth are proposed and dissolved, drawn from the conditions of the Earth itself compared with the conditions of the Eighth or supreme Sphere pp. 312–320
- Chapter VI, Seven Arguments are proposed and dissolved, [drawn] from the conditions of the Diurnal Motion itself, for the diurnal motion of the Earth rather than of the Heaven pp. 321–326
- Chapter VII, The Three Remaining Arguments for the Diurnal Motion of the Earth are proposed and dissolved pp. 327–330
- Chapter VIII, Ten Arguments are proposed and dissolved for placing the Earth outside the center of the World by the Annual motion, [drawn] from various Conditions of the Earth and of the Planets not involving [its] motion pp. 331–339
- Chapter IX, Five Arguments are proposed and dissolved, for the Annual Motion of the Earth, taken from the Motions of the Planets and from the instruments of the motions pp. 340–345
- Chapter X, Five Arguments are proposed and dissolved, for the Annual motion of the Earth, taken from the Motions, or Variations, of certain other heavenly things pp. 346–347
- Chapter XI, Two Arguments are proposed and dissolved, for the Annual Motion of the Earth: one from the Change of the Meridian Line, the other from the Change of the Altitude of the Pole; concerning which many things worthy to be known are reported pp. 348–351
- Chapter XII, An Argument is proposed and dissolved for the Annual Motion of the Earth, taken from the motion of the Sunspots; and on that occasion the Doctrine concerning these Spots, handed down by Galileo and Scheiner, is reduced into an Epitome, that this Argument and its solution may the more clearly be set forth pp. 352–360
- Chapter XIII, Five Arguments are dissolved for the motion of the Earth, whether Annual or Diurnal, taken from the motion of many things toward the East
- Chapter XIV, For understanding and dissolving the Argument for the Earth's diurnal and annual motion, derived from the Sea's Tide, there are accurately treated both the history of the Marine Tide (and of the other motions of the Sea), and the famous Opinions on the Cause of the Sea's Tide pp. 361–380
- Chapter XV, The System of Lord Giovanni Battista Baliani is set forth — devised (not asserted, but by mere hypothesis) for explaining the cause of the Marine Tide through the motion of the Earth better than Galileo achieved pp. 381
- Chapter XVI, For the better understanding and solving of the Argument for the Diurnal and Annual motion of the Earth together, [drawn] from the Increment of the Velocity of Heavy bodies, Select Theorems and Problems concerning the Velocity of Heavy and Light bodies and the Increment of [their] Velocity—drawn from our experiments both in Air and in Water—are Proposed pp. 382–397
- Chapter XVII, Whether and How, by the Diurnal together with the Annual motion of the Earth, the reason for the Increment of velocity of Heavy and Light bodies is rendered uniquely, or better—and whether such motion is thereby vehemently confirmed. On which occasion there is a discussion of the Figure which, in the hypothesis of a moving Earth, Heavy and Light bodies describe by their natural motion; and the Argument of Galileo for the motion of the Earth, taken thence, is at last dissolved. pp. 398–406
- Chapter XVIII, Whether and How, in the Hypothesis of a Quiescent Earth, an a-priori reason may be rendered for the continual Increment of velocity of Heavy and Light bodies naturally descending or ascending. pp. 407–408
- Chapter XIX, Five Arguments are proposed, from the Increment of velocity of Heavy and Light bodies, against the Diurnal motion of the Earth—or the Diurnal together with the Annual. pp. 409–417
- Chapter XX, Six Arguments are proposed, from the Rectilinear and Perpendicular motion of Heavy and Light bodies, against the Diurnal and Annual motion of the Earth together. Most of which are Physically evident. pp. 418–423
- Chapter XXI, Fourteen Arguments are proposed, from the Motion of elementary bodies toward the four cardinal points of the World (or the regions of the Four Principal Winds), against the Diurnal Motion of the Earth. Which militate much more against the Annual [motion] joined to the Diurnal. Of which Five are Physically insoluble. pp. 424–429
- Chapter XXII, Five Arguments are proposed, but weak, from the excessive Impetus and Velocity of the Earth and of its Kindred Bodies, if they were moved by a motion whether Diurnal only, or also Annual; and the Measure of each motion is, on this occasion, delivered by a different method than was done at chapter 19, number 13—that perhaps by this [method] satisfaction may be given to some. pp. 430–434
- Chapter XXIII, Four Arguments are proposed and dissolved, taken from the Rising and Setting of the Stars — whether seen in the open or from a well — and from the Solstitial Shadows of the Sun, or the Eclipse at the death of CHRIST. pp. 435–436
- Chapter XXIV, Four Arguments are proposed and dissolved, against the Diurnal and Annual motion of the Earth, taken from the Principle and the simplicity of this motion. pp. 437–439
- Chapter XXV, Eleven Arguments are proposed and dissolved against the Annual motion of the Earth *alone*; and first those which Aristotle and his followers in this [matter] took from the place due to the Earth in the World — its nature being considered, and the place and motion due to Heavy and Light bodies. And select Texts of Aristotle bearing on this are collected, with little explanations where there is need. pp. 440–447
- Chapter XXVI, Five Arguments are proposed and dissolved against the Annual motion of the Earth, and against its situation outside the center of the Universe, from the downward Situation and the Perversion of the mundane system. pp. 448
- Chapter XXVII, Nine Arguments are proposed and dissolved, taken from the Celestial Phenomena — and chiefly from Eclipses, and from the Evidence of the Sun's motion — against the Annual motion of the Earth. pp. 449–450
- Chapter XXVIII, Three Arguments are proposed and dissolved against the Annual motion of the Earth, taken from the Parallax of the Annual Orb. pp. 451–454
- Chapter XXIX, Three Arguments are proposed against the Annual motion of the Earth, taken from the excessive Distance of the Fixed stars, and the magnitude of the Eighth Sphere. Where the opinions concerning their Distance, from the various hypotheses of the Copernicans, are reviewed together with their foundations. pp. 455–460
- Chapter XXX, An Argument is proposed from the Huge Bulk of the Fixed stars, Against the Annual motion of the Earth. On which occasion it is disputed: Whether this [bulk] is more incredible in the Fixed [stars] [being] unmoved, than the Swiftness belonging to their diurnal motion on the hypothesis of a resting Earth? pp. 461–463
- Chapter XXXI, Six Arguments are proposed Against the Annual motion of the Earth, from the Refraction of the Fixed stars. pp. 464–465
- Chapter XXXII, An Argument is proposed against the Copernican Hypothesis, from the excessive license of feigning [inventing] diverse systems.
- Chapter XXXIII, The Arguments and the Solutions of the Arguments, hitherto made concerning the Diurnal and Annual Motion of the Earth, are reduced into an Epitome. pp. 466–472
- Chapter XXXIV, The Arguments, with the Solutions of very many [of them], hitherto made For the Immobility of the Earth, are reduced into an Epitome. And First, Thirty-eight Arguments Against the Diurnal motion together with the Annual, from Chapter 19 to 24 inclusive. pp. 473–478
- Chapter XXXV, In which, from mere Reasons, and with all Authority set aside [circumscribed], it is concluded which of the Hypotheses is to be absolutely asserted — the one which supposes the Motion, or the one which supposes the Immobility, of the Earth. pp. 479
- Chapter XXXVI, The Authorities of Sacred Scripture for the Motion of the Sun and the Immobility of the Earth are adduced. pp. 480–481
- Chapter XXXVII, In what way the Fathers and the Sacred Interpreters understood the aforesaid passages of Sacred Scripture. pp. 482–487
- Chapter XXXVIII, The Responses of the Copernicans to the Sacred Authorities concerning the Motion of the Sun and the Rest of the Earth are brought forward and refuted — as not only little solid, but even dangerous. pp. 488–491
- Chapter XXXIX, Question 4. Whether the Assertions of Sacred Scripture concerning the Sun's Motion and the Stability of the Earth are to be taken according to the literal sense, or Figuratively, or [according] to the sense of the common people — that is, as to appearance. Where the Ecclesiastical Rules concerning the use of the literal sense are handed down. pp. 492–495
- Chapter XL, What Censure the Asserters of the Motion of the Earth and the Immobility of the Sun deserve, and have borne [received], from Learned men — but especially from the Sacred Congregation of Cardinals deputed by the Supreme Pontiff for the Office of the Inquisition. pp. 496–500
Section V — On the Harmonic System of the World
- Chapter I, On the Necessity of this Section, and on the Authors who have treated of Harmonic Proportions
- Chapter II, On the Concord of the Heavens in General pp. 502–504
- Chapter III, On Proportions, and especially on Harmonic ones pp. 505–507
- Chapter IV, On the Discoverers, the Discovery, the Number, and the Nomenclature of Consonant and Dissonant intervals; and on the simple division of the Monochord pp. 508–514
- Chapter V, On Music, and the various Divisions and Genera of Melodies and Songs pp. 515–516
- Chapter VI, On the Strings, Voices, and Musical Notes, and their nomenclature, and their distribution in the Harmonic System or Musical Scale pp. 517–521
- Chapter VII, Whether, and in what order, the voices of the Muses and the sounds of the Strings ought to be accommodated to the Celestial Spheres pp. 522–525
- Chapter VIII, And by what reckoning the intervals of the Harmonic System ought to be fitted to the distances of the Stars pp. 526–531
- Chapter IX, Whether the Magnitude and Density of the Celestial Bodies has been determined by Harmonic Proportions
- Chapter X, Whether and by what reckoning the Motions of the Planets have been determined by God from Harmonic Proportions pp. 532–533
- Chapter XI, Whether, and what, force and determination the Aspects of the Stars have from Harmonic Configurations pp. 534–535