2005/09/01 by Nathan Sidoli · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Arts and Humanities · #Historical Astronomy and Related Studies #Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies #Historical and Architectural Studies
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0498.2005.470304.x
openalex publication_date 2005/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Abstract. Heron's Dioptra 35 is the unique witness of an ancient mathematical procedure for finding the great arc distance between two cities using methods of ancient spherical astronomy and simultaneous observations of a lunar eclipse. This paper provides a new study of the text, with mathematical and historical commentary. I argue that Heron's account is a summary of some longer work of mathematical astronomy or geography, which made extensive use of the analemma, an ancient model of the celestial sphere. Heron's text can be used to show the utility of the analemma model, both as a theoretical device and as a computational tool.