Alexius Sylvius Polonus (1593 ca. 1653), a little-known maker of astronomical instruments
Abstract
Sylvius participated, as a pupil at the Jesuit College in Kalisz, in the observations of sunspots, which were organized by the Belgian Jesuit Charles Malapert. The early telescopes used were obtained from Chr. Scheiner in Ingolstadt. In 1617 Malapert returned to Belgium accompanied by Sylvius. They spent 12 years at the Jesuit University of Douai. Here, the observations of sunspots were continued with more advanced instruments, invented and constructed by Sylvius himself. In 1630 Malapert was called to Madrid to occupy a newly created chair in the University. On his way he fell ill and died shortly after crossing the Spanish border. Sylvius reached Madrid alone and stayed for several years. In 1634 he constructed an ingenious planetarium for the University. After leaving Spain, in 1638, Sylvius lived for a long period in Belgium in the Benedictine monastery at Anchin. The construction of a planetarium for this monastery may probably be ascribed to him. By 1649 Sylvius had returned to Poland, where he published, in 1651, his calendariographic work. The details of his later life remain unknown.
- Publication:
-
Vistas in Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- 1967
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0083-6656(67)90007-4
- Bibcode:
- 1967VA......9...11B