Database: Observatoire de Paris: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ACUDB - Observatoire de Paris.png| | [[File:ACUDB - Observatoire de Paris.png|right|250px]] | ||
The [[Paris Observatory|Observatory]] was an undertaking promoted by [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] who favored poets as well as scholars.<br | The [[Paris Observatory|Observatory]] was an undertaking promoted by [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] who favored poets as well as scholars.<br> | ||
[[Claude Perrault]] drew up the plans, which excluded iron so as not to disturb the compass needles, and wood to prevent any fire. The first stone was symbolically laid on the day of the summer solstice in 1667. Five years later, {{Wiki|Giovanni Domenico Cassini|Jean-Dominique Cassini}} climbed the 145 steps* of the octagonal, south-east tower.<br | [[Claude Perrault]] drew up the plans, which excluded [[iron]] so as not to disturb the compass needles, and [[wood]] to prevent any fire. The first stone was symbolically laid on the day of the summer solstice in 1667. Five years later, {{Wiki|Giovanni Domenico Cassini|Jean-Dominique Cassini}} climbed the 145 steps* of the octagonal, south-east tower.<br> | ||
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<nowiki>*</nowiki> Not that anyone's counting.<br | <nowiki>*</nowiki> Not that anyone's counting.<br> | ||
--<br | --<br> | ||
The Observatory's cellars lie 27 meters underground to maintain a constant temperature - essential for the smooth functioning of the optical and measuring | The Observatory's cellars lie 27 meters underground to maintain a constant temperature - essential for the smooth functioning of the optical and measuring instruments. Those employed there had to climb down 330 steps to start their work!**<br> | ||
--<br | --<br> | ||
<nowiki>**</nowiki> It can be no small coincidence that the first powered elevators came into being towards the start of the 19th century. Everyone was bloody knackered by then.<br | <nowiki>**</nowiki> It can be no small coincidence that the first powered elevators came into being towards the start of the 19th century. Everyone was bloody knackered by then.<br> | ||
--<br | --<br> | ||
Beyond the cellars lie the [[Catacombs of Paris|catacombs]]. | Beyond the cellars lie the [[Catacombs of Paris|catacombs]]. | ||
Repeatedly handed down from father to son, the position of director of the observatory would remain within the Cassini family until 1791. They would be succeeded by {{Wiki|Jérôme Lalande|de Lalande}}, {{Wiki|Urbain Le Verrier|Le Verrier}} and {{Wiki|François Arago|Arago}}, among others. | Repeatedly handed down from father to son, the position of director of the observatory would remain within the Cassini family until 1791. They would be succeeded by {{Wiki|Jérôme Lalande|de Lalande}}, {{Wiki|Urbain Le Verrier|Le Verrier}} and {{Wiki|François Arago|Arago}}, among others. | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Observatoire de Paris}} | |||
[[Category:Database: Locations]] | [[Category:Database: Locations]] | ||
[[Category:Helix database entries]] | [[Category:Helix database entries]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:57, 28 March 2021
The Observatory was an undertaking promoted by Louis XIV who favored poets as well as scholars.
Claude Perrault drew up the plans, which excluded iron so as not to disturb the compass needles, and wood to prevent any fire. The first stone was symbolically laid on the day of the summer solstice in 1667. Five years later, Jean-Dominique Cassini climbed the 145 steps* of the octagonal, south-east tower.
--
* Not that anyone's counting.
--
The Observatory's cellars lie 27 meters underground to maintain a constant temperature - essential for the smooth functioning of the optical and measuring instruments. Those employed there had to climb down 330 steps to start their work!**
--
** It can be no small coincidence that the first powered elevators came into being towards the start of the 19th century. Everyone was bloody knackered by then.
--
Beyond the cellars lie the catacombs.
Repeatedly handed down from father to son, the position of director of the observatory would remain within the Cassini family until 1791. They would be succeeded by de Lalande, Le Verrier and Arago, among others.