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A PIONEERING WORK OF THE SCIENCE OF SELENOGRAPHY. First edition, extremely rare when complete, of this important early study of the topography of the Moon. "Schröter was the first to observe the surface of the moon and the planets systematically over a long period. He made hundreds of drawings of lunar mountains and other features, and discovered and named the lunar rilles" (DSB). His observations were published in the present work, together with a second volume that appeared in 1802. The visual lunar albedo scale developed in this work was later popularised by the British astronomer Thomas Gwyn Elger (1836-97) and now bears his name. "Schröter studied law at Gottingen but also attended lectures in mathematics, physics, and astronomy, the last under Kästner. Upon completing his law studies he was appointed junior barrister in Hannover. Through his appreciation of music he met the Herschel family, who revived his interest in astronomy. In 1781 he became chief magistrate at Lilienthal, a post that left him free time to devote to astronomy. With the aid of the optician J. G. Schrader he built and equipped an observatory that subsequently became world-famous for the excellence of the instruments. Some were made in his own workshop; others he bought from Herschel, the latter including a reflector with a twenty-seven-foot focal length, the largest on the Continent . Lilienthal was occupied during the Napoleonic Wars by the French, who looted and partly destroyed the observatory, although most of the instruments were saved. In the ensuing fire Schröter lost all copies of his own works, which he had published himself. He returned to Erfurt and built a new observatory, but his health failed and he did little observing. He died soon afterward" (DSB). A second volume, with a further 32 plates, was published in 1802. "The 75 engraved plates published in the two volumes include anything from whole-page drawings of larger areas to groups of twelve or more sketches of specific small details. Examination shows that while a few drawings appear quite amateurish . others are reasonably accurate in their portrayal. Schröter consistently gives the rims of craters the appearance of an overhead view of a ring of closely spaced trees . even though many of those craters display sharp rims as viewed in the telescope. Nevertheless, comparing the many drawings with modern photos shows that they include virtually all of the more important details of each region except in only one or two rare cases where he apparently became confused by what he observed. Whatever criticisms may be leveled against Schröter's work. it can fairly be said that he pioneered the science of detailed and comprehensive selenography which, with Mayer's pioneering attention to positional accuracy, laid the ground for an unprecedented burst of lunar observation and cartography in Germany" (Whitaker, pp.107-9). No complete copy on RBH since 1939. The decisive event in Schröter's life occurred in March 1781, when he was told of William Herschel's discovery of the Georgium Sidus (Uranus). "The effect was electrifying. In the spirit of emulation, the young bureaucrat resigned his position in Hanover, and applied for, and received, the position of magistrate of the small, somewhat secluded village of Lilienthal, the 'Vale of the Lilies,' which is located on the edge of the moor near Bremen. It was a dramatic move, almost headstrong some might say, but Schroeter knew well what he was about. Lilienthal was lonely and isolated, the population relatively small in numbers. Official duties would be minimal, allowing him ample leisure time to devote to astronomy. Thus, in anticipation of starlit nights, he took possession of the Amthaus, his official residence, in May 1782. "His enthusiasm afire he cast around for an instrument to match his great ambition. Through his relationship with the Herschel family he purchased from William in England, for what was then a very large sum, two reflecting tel. Seller Inventory # 6231
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Bibliographic Details
Title: Selenotopographische Fragmente zur genaueren...
Publisher: Auf Kosten des Verfassers, bey demselben und in Commission bey Carl. Gottfr. Fleckeisen . in Helmstädt. Gedruckt in Göttingen bey Joh. Georg Rosenbusch ., Lilienthal
Publication Date: 1791
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: First edition.
