Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Christiaan Huygens" - New World
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{{Infobox_Scientist | {{Infobox_Scientist | ||
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| − | Huygens generally receives minor credit for his role in the development of modern [[calculus]] and his original observations on sound perception | + | '''Christiaan Huygens''' (pronounced in [[English language|English]] ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]): {{IPA|[ˈhaɪ.gənz]}}; in [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: {{IPA|[ˈhœy.ɣəns]}}) (April 14, 1629 – July 8, 1695), was a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[mathematics|mathematician]], [[astronomer]] and [[physics|physicist]]; born in [[The Hague]] as the son of [[Constantijn Huygens]]. He studied law and mathematics at the [[University of Leiden]] and the [[College of Orange]] in [[Breda]] before turning to science. Historians commonly associate Huygens with the [[Scientific Revolution]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Huygens generally receives minor credit for his role in the development of modern [[calculus]] and his original observations on sound perception. He also achieved note for his arguments that [[light]] consisted of [[wave]]s. In 1655, he discovered [[Saturn (planet)|Saturn]]'s moon [[Titan (moon)|Titan]]. He also examined Saturn's [[planetary ring]]s, and in 1656 he discovered that those rings consisted of rocks. In the same year he observed and sketched the [[Orion Nebula]]. His drawing, the first such known of the Orion nebula, was published in ''Systema Saturnium'' in 1659. Using his modern [[telescope]] he succeeded in subdividing the nebula into different [[star]]s. He also discovered several [[nebula|interstellar nebulae]] and some [[double star]]s. Huygens formulated as first what is now known as the second [[Newton's laws of motion|law of motion]] of [[Isaac Newton]] in a quadratic form. Newton reformulated and generalized that law. | ||
After [[Blaise Pascal]] encouraged him to do so, Huygens wrote the first book on [[probability theory]], which he had published in 1657. | After [[Blaise Pascal]] encouraged him to do so, Huygens wrote the first book on [[probability theory]], which he had published in 1657. | ||
| − | He also worked on the construction of accurate [[clock]]s, suitable for naval [[navigation]]. In 1658 he published a book on this topic called ''Horologium''. In fact his invention on Christmas 1656, the [[pendulum clock]] (patented 1657), was a breakthrough in timekeeping. Devices known as [[escapement]]s regulate the rate of a [[watch]] or clock, and the anchor escapement represented a major step in the development of accurate watches. Subsequent to this publication, Huygens discovered that the [[cycloid]] was an [[Tautochrone curve|isochronous curve]] and, applied to pendulum clocks in the form of cycloidal cheeks guiding a flexible pendulum suspension, would ensure a regular (i.e isochronous) swing of the pendulum irrespective of its amplitude, i.e. | + | He also worked on the construction of accurate [[clock]]s, suitable for naval [[navigation]]. In 1658 he published a book on this topic called ''Horologium''. In fact his invention on Christmas 1656, the [[pendulum clock]] (patented 1657), was a breakthrough in timekeeping. Devices known as [[escapement]]s regulate the rate of a [[watch]] or clock, and the anchor escapement represented a major step in the development of accurate watches. Subsequent to this publication, Huygens discovered that the [[cycloid]] was an [[Tautochrone curve|isochronous curve]] and, applied to pendulum clocks in the form of cycloidal cheeks guiding a flexible pendulum suspension, would ensure a regular (i.e isochronous) swing of the pendulum irrespective of its amplitude, i.e. irrespective of how it moved side to side. The mathematical and practical details of this finding were published in "Horologium Oscillatorium" of 1673. Huygens also observed that two pendulums mounted on the same beam will come to swing in perfectly opposite directions, an observation he referred to as [[odd sympathy]]. Contrary to sometimes expressed popular belief Huygens was not a clockmaker, and is not known to have ever made any clock himself; he was a scholar, scientist and inventor, and the oldest known pendulum clocks were made "under the privilege" -i.e. based on a license from Huygens- by [[Salomon Coster]] in [[The Hague]]. The oldest known Huygens style pendulum clock is dated 1657 and can be seen at the [[Museum Boerhaave]] in [[Leiden]] <ref> Hans van den Ende: "Huygens's Legacy, The Golden Age of the Pendulum Clock," Fromanteel Ldt., 2004, </ref> <ref>van Kersen, Frits & van den Ende, Hans: Oppwindende Klokken - De Gouden Eeuw van het Slingeruurwerk 12 September - 29 November 2004 [Exhibition Catalog Paleis Het Loo]; Apeldoorn: Paleis Het Loo,2004 </ref> <ref> Hooijmaijers, Hans; Telling time - Devices for time measurement in museum Boerhaave - A Descriptive Catalogue; Leiden: Museum Boerhaave, 2005 </ref> <ref>Anonymous. Chistiaan Huygens 1629-1695, Chapter 1: Slingeruurwerken; Leiden: Museum Boerhaave, 1988 </ref>, which also shows an important astronomical clock owned and used by Huygens. |
Huygens also developed a [[balance spring]] clock more or less contemporaneously with, though separately from, [[Robert Hooke]], and controversy over whose invention was the earlier persisted for centuries. In February 2006, a long-lost copy of Hooke's handwritten notes from several decades' [[Royal Society]] meetings was discovered in a cupboard in Hampshire, and the balance-spring controversy appears by evidence contained in those notes to be settled in favor of Hooke's claim. | Huygens also developed a [[balance spring]] clock more or less contemporaneously with, though separately from, [[Robert Hooke]], and controversy over whose invention was the earlier persisted for centuries. In February 2006, a long-lost copy of Hooke's handwritten notes from several decades' [[Royal Society]] meetings was discovered in a cupboard in Hampshire, and the balance-spring controversy appears by evidence contained in those notes to be settled in favor of Hooke's claim. | ||
| − | The [[Royal Society]] elected Huygens a member in 1663. In the year 1666 Huygens moved to [[Paris, France|Paris]] where he held a position at the [[French Academy of Sciences]] under the patronage of [[Louis XIV]]. Using the [[Paris Observatory]] (completed in 1672) he made further [[astronomy|astronomical]] observations. In 1684 he published | + | The [[Royal Society]] elected Huygens a member in 1663. In the year 1666 Huygens moved to [[Paris, France|Paris]] where he held a position at the [[French Academy of Sciences]] under the patronage of [[Louis XIV]]. Using the [[Paris Observatory]] (completed in 1672) he made further [[astronomy|astronomical]] observations. In 1684 he published ''Astroscopia Compendiaria'', which presented his new aerial (tubeless) telescope. |
| − | Huygens speculated in detail about [[extraterrestrial life|life on other planets]]. In his book ''Cosmotheoros'', further entitled ''The celestial worlds discover'd: or, conjectures concerning the inhabitants, plants and productions of the worlds in the planets'' | + | Huygens speculated in detail about [[extraterrestrial life|life on other planets]]. In his book ''Cosmotheoros'', further entitled ''The celestial worlds discover'd: or, conjectures concerning the inhabitants, plants and productions of the worlds in the planets'',<ref>see [http://www.phys.uu.nl/~huygens/cosmotheoros_en.htm ''Cosmotheoros''] </ref> he imagined a universe brimming with life, much of it very similar to life on seventeenth century Earth. The liberal climate in the Netherlands of that time not only allowed but encouraged such speculation. In sharp contrast, philosopher [[Giordano Bruno]], who also believed in many inhabited worlds, was burned at the stake by the Italian authorities for his beliefs in 1600. |
In 1675, Christiaan Huygens [[patent]]ed a [[pocket watch]]. He also invented numerous other devices, including a 31 tone to the octave keyboard instrument which made use of his discovery of [[31 equal temperament]]. | In 1675, Christiaan Huygens [[patent]]ed a [[pocket watch]]. He also invented numerous other devices, including a 31 tone to the octave keyboard instrument which made use of his discovery of [[31 equal temperament]]. | ||
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== Named after Huygens == | == Named after Huygens == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The brighter interior of the Orion Nebula bears the name of the ''[[Huygens Region]]'' in his honor. | ||
* The [[Huygens probe]]: The lander for the Saturnian [[moon]] [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], part of the [[Cassini-Huygens Mission]] to Saturn | * The [[Huygens probe]]: The lander for the Saturnian [[moon]] [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], part of the [[Cassini-Huygens Mission]] to Saturn | ||
* [[2801 Huygens|Asteroid 2801 Huygens]] | * [[2801 Huygens|Asteroid 2801 Huygens]] | ||
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* [http://www.science.leidenuniv.nl/e/index.php3?m=6&c=15 Huygens Laboratory]: Home of the Physics department at Leiden University, The Netherlands | * [http://www.science.leidenuniv.nl/e/index.php3?m=6&c=15 Huygens Laboratory]: Home of the Physics department at Leiden University, The Netherlands | ||
* [http://huygens.supercomputer.nl/ Huygens Supercomputer]: National Supercomputer facility of The Netherlands, located at [[Stichting Academisch Rekencentrum Amsterdam|SARA]] in Amsterdam | * [http://huygens.supercomputer.nl/ Huygens Supercomputer]: National Supercomputer facility of The Netherlands, located at [[Stichting Academisch Rekencentrum Amsterdam|SARA]] in Amsterdam | ||
| − | * The Huygens-building in Noordwijk, | + | * The Huygens-building in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, first building on the Space Business park opposite Estec (ESA) |
* The Huygens-building at the Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. One of the major buildings of the science department at the university of Nijmegen. | * The Huygens-building at the Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. One of the major buildings of the science department at the university of Nijmegen. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Blaise Pascal]] | ||
| + | * [[Light]] | ||
| + | * [[Nebula]] | ||
| + | * [[Saturn]] | ||
| + | * [[Star]] | ||
| + | * [[Wave]] | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 69: | Line 80: | ||
* {{gutenberg author| id=Christiaan+Huygens | name=Christiaan Huygens}} | * {{gutenberg author| id=Christiaan+Huygens | name=Christiaan Huygens}} | ||
** [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14725 Treatise on Light] translated into English by Silvanus P. Thompson, Project Gutenberg etext. | ** [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14725 Treatise on Light] translated into English by Silvanus P. Thompson, Project Gutenberg etext. | ||
| − | * [http://math.dartmouth.edu/~doyle/docs/huygens/huygens.pdf De Ratiociniis in Ludo Aleae or The Value of all Chances in Games of Fortune, 1657]Christiaan Huygens' book on probability theory. An English translation published in 1714. Text pdf file. | + | * [http://math.dartmouth.edu/~doyle/docs/huygens/huygens.pdf De Ratiociniis in Ludo Aleae or The Value of all Chances in Games of Fortune, 1657] Christiaan Huygens' book on probability theory. An English translation published in 1714. Text pdf file. |
* [http://www.hofwijck.nl/hofwijkck/en/ Huygensmuseum Hofwijck] in Voorburg, The Netherlands, where Huygens lived and worked. | * [http://www.hofwijck.nl/hofwijkck/en/ Huygensmuseum Hofwijck] in Voorburg, The Netherlands, where Huygens lived and worked. | ||
* [http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/onlinestuff/stories/huygens_clocks.aspx?keywords=huygens Huygens Clocks] exhibition from the Science Museum, London | * [http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/onlinestuff/stories/huygens_clocks.aspx?keywords=huygens Huygens Clocks] exhibition from the Science Museum, London | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 17 September 2007
|
Christiaan Huygens | |
|---|---|
 Christiaan Huygens | |
| Born |
April 14 1629 |
| Died | July 8 1695 (aged 66) The Hague, Netherlands |
| Residence |  Netherlands,  France
|
| Nationality | Dutch
|
| Field | Physicist and mathematician |
| Institutions | Royal Society of London French Academy of Sciences |
| Alma mater | University of Leiden College of Orange |
| Known for | Pendulum clock Huygens–Fresnel principle |
Christiaan Huygens (pronounced in English (IPA): [ˈhaɪ.gənz]; in Dutch: [ˈhœy.ɣəns]) (April 14, 1629 – July 8, 1695), was a Dutch mathematician, astronomer and physicist; born in The Hague as the son of Constantijn Huygens. He studied law and mathematics at the University of Leiden and the College of Orange in Breda before turning to science. Historians commonly associate Huygens with the Scientific Revolution.
Huygens generally receives minor credit for his role in the development of modern calculus and his original observations on sound perception. He also achieved note for his arguments that light consisted of waves. In 1655, he discovered Saturn's moon Titan. He also examined Saturn's planetary rings, and in 1656 he discovered that those rings consisted of rocks. In the same year he observed and sketched the Orion Nebula. His drawing, the first such known of the Orion nebula, was published in Systema Saturnium in 1659. Using his modern telescope he succeeded in subdividing the nebula into different stars. He also discovered several interstellar nebulae and some double stars. Huygens formulated as first what is now known as the second law of motion of Isaac Newton in a quadratic form. Newton reformulated and generalized that law.
After Blaise Pascal encouraged him to do so, Huygens wrote the first book on probability theory, which he had published in 1657.
He also worked on the construction of accurate clocks, suitable for naval navigation. In 1658 he published a book on this topic called Horologium. In fact his invention on Christmas 1656, the pendulum clock (patented 1657), was a breakthrough in timekeeping. Devices known as escapements regulate the rate of a watch or clock, and the anchor escapement represented a major step in the development of accurate watches. Subsequent to this publication, Huygens discovered that the cycloid was an isochronous curve and, applied to pendulum clocks in the form of cycloidal cheeks guiding a flexible pendulum suspension, would ensure a regular (i.e isochronous) swing of the pendulum irrespective of its amplitude, i.e. irrespective of how it moved side to side. The mathematical and practical details of this finding were published in "Horologium Oscillatorium" of 1673. Huygens also observed that two pendulums mounted on the same beam will come to swing in perfectly opposite directions, an observation he referred to as odd sympathy. Contrary to sometimes expressed popular belief Huygens was not a clockmaker, and is not known to have ever made any clock himself; he was a scholar, scientist and inventor, and the oldest known pendulum clocks were made "under the privilege" -i.e. based on a license from Huygens- by Salomon Coster in The Hague. The oldest known Huygens style pendulum clock is dated 1657 and can be seen at the Museum Boerhaave in Leiden [1] [2] [3] [4], which also shows an important astronomical clock owned and used by Huygens.
Huygens also developed a balance spring clock more or less contemporaneously with, though separately from, Robert Hooke, and controversy over whose invention was the earlier persisted for centuries. In February 2006, a long-lost copy of Hooke's handwritten notes from several decades' Royal Society meetings was discovered in a cupboard in Hampshire, and the balance-spring controversy appears by evidence contained in those notes to be settled in favor of Hooke's claim.
The Royal Society elected Huygens a member in 1663. In the year 1666 Huygens moved to Paris where he held a position at the French Academy of Sciences under the patronage of Louis XIV. Using the Paris Observatory (completed in 1672) he made further astronomical observations. In 1684 he published Astroscopia Compendiaria, which presented his new aerial (tubeless) telescope.
Huygens speculated in detail about life on other planets. In his book Cosmotheoros, further entitled The celestial worlds discover'd: or, conjectures concerning the inhabitants, plants and productions of the worlds in the planets,[5] he imagined a universe brimming with life, much of it very similar to life on seventeenth century Earth. The liberal climate in the Netherlands of that time not only allowed but encouraged such speculation. In sharp contrast, philosopher Giordano Bruno, who also believed in many inhabited worlds, was burned at the stake by the Italian authorities for his beliefs in 1600.
In 1675, Christiaan Huygens patented a pocket watch. He also invented numerous other devices, including a 31 tone to the octave keyboard instrument which made use of his discovery of 31 equal temperament.
Huygens moved back to The Hague in 1681 after suffering serious illness. He attempted to return to France in 1685 but the revocation of the Edict of Nantes precluded this move. Huygens died in The Hague on July 8, 1695.
Named after Huygens
- The brighter interior of the Orion Nebula bears the name of the Huygens Region in his honor.
- The Huygens probe: The lander for the Saturnian moon Titan, part of the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn
- Asteroid 2801 Huygens
- A crater on Mars
- Mons Huygens, a mountain on the Moon
- Huygens Software, a microscope image processing package.
- Achromatic eyepiece design named about him
- The Huygens–Fresnel principle, a simple model to understand disturbances in wave propagation.
- Huygens wavelets, the fundamental mathematical basis for scalar diffraction theory
- W.I.S.V. Christiaan Huygens: Dutch study guild for the studies Mathemathics and Computer Science at the Delft University of Technology
- Huygens Laboratory: Home of the Physics department at Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Huygens Supercomputer: National Supercomputer facility of The Netherlands, located at SARA in Amsterdam
- The Huygens-building in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, first building on the Space Business park opposite Estec (ESA)
- The Huygens-building at the Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. One of the major buildings of the science department at the university of Nijmegen.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Hans van den Ende: "Huygens's Legacy, The Golden Age of the Pendulum Clock," Fromanteel Ldt., 2004,
- ↑ van Kersen, Frits & van den Ende, Hans: Oppwindende Klokken - De Gouden Eeuw van het Slingeruurwerk 12 September - 29 November 2004 [Exhibition Catalog Paleis Het Loo]; Apeldoorn: Paleis Het Loo,2004
- ↑ Hooijmaijers, Hans; Telling time - Devices for time measurement in museum Boerhaave - A Descriptive Catalogue; Leiden: Museum Boerhaave, 2005
- ↑ Anonymous. Chistiaan Huygens 1629-1695, Chapter 1: Slingeruurwerken; Leiden: Museum Boerhaave, 1988
- ↑ see Cosmotheoros
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
<<We need at least 3 reliable references here, properly formatted.>>
Andriesse, C.D. 2005. Huygens: The Man Behind the Principle. Foreword by Sally Miedema. Cambridge University Press.
External links
- John J. O'Connor and Edmund F. Robertson. Christiaan Huygens at the MacTutor archive
- Works by Christiaan Huygens. Project Gutenberg
- Treatise on Light translated into English by Silvanus P. Thompson, Project Gutenberg etext.
- De Ratiociniis in Ludo Aleae or The Value of all Chances in Games of Fortune, 1657 Christiaan Huygens' book on probability theory. An English translation published in 1714. Text pdf file.
- Huygensmuseum Hofwijck in Voorburg, The Netherlands, where Huygens lived and worked.
- Huygens Clocks exhibition from the Science Museum, London
- Huygens and music theory Huygens–Fokker Foundation —on Huygens' 31 equal temperament and how it has been used
- How to pronounce "Christiaan Huygens" (includes sound file of pronunciations by Dutch people)
- Systema Saturnium 1659 text a digital edition of Smithsonian Libraries
- Exhibition on Huygens in University Library Leiden (in Dutch)
- Christiaan Huygens on the 25 Dutch Guilder banknote of the 1950's.
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Huygens, Christiaan |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Physicist and mathematician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 14, 1629 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | The Hague, Netherlands |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 8, 1690 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | The Hague, Netherlands |
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