| Description |
xix, 353 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 299-337) and index. |
| Contents |
The baseline at Yaruquí -- The problem of the Earth's shape -- Preparations for the mission -- Finding Quito -- Degree of difficulty -- City of Kings -- The triangles of Peru -- Death and the surgeon -- The War of Jenkins's Ear -- The dance of the stars -- The impossible return -- A world revealed -- The children of the equator. |
| Summary |
Describes the early 18th-century expedition of scientists sent by France and Spain to colonial Peru to measure the degree of equatorial latitude, which could resolve the debate between whether the earth was spherical or flattened at the poles. |
| Subject |
Geodesy -- Europe -- History -- 18th century.
|
|
Scientific expeditions -- Europe -- History -- 18th century.
|
| ISBN |
9780465017232 hardback $28.00 |
|
0465017231 hardback |
|
