Perilous Adventures In The Competition To Measure The Earth

Have you ever wondered how we came to know the exact measurements of our planet? The journey to accurately measure the Earth has been long and perilous, involving multiple expeditions, intense rivalries, and extraordinary tales of adventure. This article dives into the exciting history of those who risked their lives and pushed the boundaries of scientific exploration to determine the true dimensions of our planet.

The Quest for Precision

In a time when maps were incomplete and navigation was challenging, the need to measure the Earth with accuracy became crucial. The first major breakthrough came with the work of Eratosthenes, an ancient Greek scholar, who calculated the Earth's circumference using simple geometry and observations of the Sun's angle. This remarkable achievement opened doors to further exploration and measurement.

Fast forward to the 18th century, the age of enlightenment and scientific revolution. Ideas of rationality and empirical evidence gained prominence, leading to a renewed interest in precisely measuring the Earth's size. This period witnessed a fierce competition between renowned scientists from different nations, each vying to make their mark on the pages of history.

Full Meridian of Glory: Perilous Adventures in the Competition to Measure the Earth

by Paul Murdin(2009th Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8616 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	210 pages

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The Great Arc of India

One of the most remarkable expeditions was the Great Arc of India, headed by William Lambton and later George Everest. This ambitious project aimed to measure a large portion of the meridian arc, stretching across the Indian subcontinent. For over four decades, the surveyors battled extreme weather, hostile terrains, and encountered wild animals that posed serious threats to their lives.

Despite the dangers, the Great Arc of India successfully surveyed and mapped vast areas, including the mighty Himalayas. Its measurements were later used as a crucial reference for geodetic works worldwide, particularly the subsequent measurements of the Earth.

The French Connection

In the race to measure the Earth, no rivalry was more intense than the one between the French and the British. The French Academy of Sciences, led by Jean-Baptiste Delambre and Pierre Mechain, carried out the task of measuring a longitudinal arc from Dunkirk in northern France to Barcelona in Spain.

Their journey was marked by numerous obstacles, including the French Revolution which threatened their very lives. Despite the challenges, they persevered and completed their measurements, laying the foundation for the metric system.

The Peruvian Expedition

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, expeditions were taking place in the vast landscapes of South America. The Spanish Empire sponsored a groundbreaking mission led by Louis Godin, Charles Bouguer, and others to measure the length of an arc near Quito, Ecuador.

This grueling expedition involved treacherous terrains, unforgiving weather conditions, and encounters with indigenous tribes. Despite facing numerous hardships, they successfully completed their mission, adding another piece to the puzzle of understanding Earth's dimensions.

Modern Era and Beyond

With the advancements in technology and satellite-based navigation systems, the ability to measure the Earth has reached unprecedented accuracy. Satellites like the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) have helped scientists estimate the planet's mass distribution and monitor changes in its shape due to natural phenomena such as the melting of glaciers and the shifting of tectonic plates.

Today, measuring the Earth is not just a pursuit of scientific curiosity but a vital tool for various industries, including engineering, construction, and urban planning. Accurate measurements lay the foundation for large-scale infrastructure projects, transportation networks, and even predicting the effects of climate change.

The competition to measure the Earth was nothing short of a perilous adventure. From ancient scholars to modern-day scientists, individuals risked their lives, pushed the boundaries of exploration, and battled against numerous challenges to uncover the true dimensions of our planet.

Thanks to their contributions, we now possess an understanding of the Earth's physical characteristics with remarkable precision. These measurements have not only satisfied scientific curiosity but also shaped the world we live in today.

Full Meridian of Glory: Perilous Adventures in the Competition to Measure the Earth

by Paul Murdin(2009th Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8616 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	210 pages

FREE

[the text below needs editing and we must be careful not to say things about Dan Brown's book that could get Springer in legal trouble]

Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, was first published in 2003; its sales have reached 40 million worldwide. The book mixes a small spice of fact into a large dollop of fiction to create an entertaining novel of intrigue, adventure, romance, danger and conspiracy, which have been imaginatively worked together to cook up the successful bestseller.

Most interest in the book’s origins has centred on the sensational religious aspects. Dan Brown has written: ‘All of the art, architecture, secret rituals, secret societies, all of that is historical fact.’ This gives an air of authenticity to the book. Brown has, however, made up the religious doctrines, or based them on questionable accounts by others.

The locations of the actions of The Da Vinci Code are not, however, made up. The present book is the scientific story behind the scene of several of the book’s actions that take place on the axis of France that passes through Paris.

The Paris Meridian is the name of this location. It is the line running north-south through the astronomical observatory in Paris. One of the original intentions behind the founding of the Paris Observatory was to determine and measure this line. The French government financed the Paris Academy of Sciences to do so in the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. It employed both astronomers – people who study and measure the stars – and geodesists – people who study and measure the Earth. This book is about what they did and why. It is a true story behind Dan Brown’s fiction.

This is the first English language presentation of this historical material. It is attractively written and it features the story of the community of scientists who created the Paris Meridian. They knew each other well – some were members of the same families, in one case of four generations. Like scientists everywhere they collaborated and formed alliances; they also split into warring factions and squabbled. They travelled to foreign countries, somehow transcending the national and political disputes, as scientists do now, their eyes fixed on ideas of accuracy, truth and objective, enduring values – save where the reception given to their own work is concerned, when some became blind to high ideals and descended into petty politics.

To establish the Paris Meridian, the scientists endured hardship, survived danger and gloried in amazing adventures during a time of turmoil in Europe, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic War between France and Spain. Some were accused of witchcraft. Some of their associates lost their heads on the guillotine. Some died of disease. Some won honour and fame. One became the Head of State in France, albeit for no more than a few weeks. Some found dangerous love in foreign countries. One scientist killed in self defence when attacked by a jealous lover, another was himself killed by a jealous lover, a third brought back a woman to France and then jilted her, whereupon she joined a convent.

The scientists worked on practical problems of interest to the government and to the people. They also worked on one of the important intellectual problems of the time, a problem of great interest to their fellow scientists all over the world, nothing less than the theory of universal gravitation. They succeeded in their intellectual work, while touching politics and the affairs of state. Their endeavours have left their marks on the landscape, in art and in literature.