Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2 / Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy

by Edward Luther Stevenson

The so-called Gottorp globe, constructed in the years 1654-1664, at the instance of Duke Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, we may refer to as the first one of importance of the period, as it was one of the largest, being, however, rather an object[62] of interest by reason of its peculiar construction, than one of great scientific importance for the study of astronomy and geography. This globe, about eleven feet in diameter, was prepared by Andreas Busch of Limberg under the direction of Adam Oelschläger (Olearius)[63] (1599-1671), Duke Frederick’s librarian and court mathematician. The world map on the outer surface of the sphere included a record of the recent discoveries according to the most reliable sources of information. It was furnished with a brass meridian circle, and within this it was so adjusted as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours. The pole elevation could not be altered, it being permanently set for the latitude of Gottorp, that is, for latitude 54° 30′. Its horizon circle was broad, and served as a platform upon which an observer might walk, he being thus enabled to examine the terrestrial map to the best advantage. A door was provided which could be opened and closed, permitting not less than twelve persons to enter the sphere at one time. On its inner surface was represented the entire expanse of the sky with the several constellations properly located, having their figures carefully outlined; the several stars being placed according to calculation for the year 1700, and each star was gilded that it might the more easily be seen. From the inner axis was suspended a circular gallery or platform from which the machine could be set in motion, and from which, as representing the horizon, one might observe the rising and the setting of the stars. The whole interior was lighted by two small lamps. At the center of the sphere, the inner surface of which, as stated above, represented the starry heavens, was placed a small ball, about 15 cm. in diameter, representing the earth. The great globe, driven by water power, was therefore made to appear to revolve around this central terrestrial globe. A representation of the sun, made of glass, had its own proper motion along the circle of the ecliptic, and a representation of the moon likewise was made to move in its own proper course. This globe, in the year 1713, was presented by the grandson of Duke Frederick to Czar Peter the Great of Russia.

A note in the Royal Geographical Journal refers to this as a seventeenth-century globe, adding in substance that the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences has lately installed at Tsarskoe Selo this large globe, weighing some three and one half tons, constructed in the seventeenth century for Duke Frederick of Holstein, under the superintendence of Olearius, the astronomer and traveler. On its completion it was placed in the castle of Gottorp, from which fact it became known as the Gottorp globe. It was presented to the Academy in the year 1725 and up to the present has remained in the Zoölogical Museum.[64]

Fig. 104. The Gottorp Armillary Sphere, 1657.

Information has been kindly given by the director of the National Museum of Copenhagen that an exceedingly fine armillary sphere (Fig. [104]) may be found in the Museum of National History in the Friedricksborg Castle. From the catalogue of this institution we learn that it was constructed in the year 1657 by Andreas Busch, under the guidance of Adam Olearius, for Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp. As will be noted from the illustration it is an elaborately constructed piece of mechanism. What we may term the globe proper is composed of six great circles on which are the fixed constellations, having the several stars represented in silver. Through the mechanism passes a steel bar which carries a ball of brass representing the sun, which is at the center of the complicated system of circles. Around the sun are six circles of brass representing the orbits of the planets each carrying a small silver angel. That part of the mechanism which represents the equator and the zodiac is calculated to make one revolution in 25,000 years. In the base of the globe has been placed the clockwork by which the several movements of circles and planets are effected, and time is told by the striking of hours and quarters. Topping the piece is a small armillary sphere representing the Ptolemaic system.

We are likewise informed that in the National Museum’s collections may be found a celestial globe which is attributed to Petrus Theodorus. It is of gilded brass, having a diameter of 24 cm., and while undated presumably is of the last quarter of the seventeenth century. The globe ball is supported by a bronze figure of Atlas, the whole standing 86 cm. in height. Tycho Brahe is the accredited authority for the representation of the several fixed stars.

Erhard Weigel (1625-1699)[65] has place among the globe makers of the period as one who sought to reform, and, in some measure, to popularize both astronomical and geographical science, particularly the former, applying his own inventive ability to that end in the matter of globe construction. In this he appears to have been rather more ingenious than practical. He seems to have achieved special distinction in his day as theologian, philosopher, astrologer, and mathematician.

Weigel was a native of the Rhenish Palatinate. Under many difficulties, on account of the poverty of the family, he acquired the necessary educational training for admission into the University of Halle. Here he soon found himself in favor with Professor Bartholemeus Schimpfer,[66] who was counted one of the leading astrologers of the time. In addition to the youthful student’s general duties as secretary to the professor, there was assigned to him the task of calendar making. This was a task which especially appealed to him, and he soon had a following, as a tutor, among those students who like himself found the astrological science one of absorbing interest. Led by the fact that students from the University of Leipzig came to him for instruction, he transferred his residence from Halle to this University, thinking thereby to improve his opportunities for mathematical studies. Here he continued his astrological work, not so much, it appears, because of a genuine belief in the practical value of the science, as such; the rather because he found in its pursuit a good source of income.[67] His theological bent soon led him to a conclusion that the science of astrology rested upon a very unsubstantial foundation. “If God be the creator and supporter of the universe, what an insignificant part,” thought he, “can the stars play in determining the destiny of the individual.”

In the year 1654 he became a professor of mathematics in the University of Jena and sprang immediately into favor as a lecturer.[68] Naturalism, as heralded in his day, appealed to him and he became an outspoken opponent of the Latinists and of the Scholastics. When his knowledge of mathematics failed him he was inclined to resort to theology as a subject furnishing endless themes and illustrative material. From his early belief in astrology he turned to astronomy, but he remained a visionary, making some contribution to the science but none of lasting value. He appears to have been particularly distressed over the heathen names of the several constellations and the figures which so long had been employed to represent them, regarding such representations as sacrilegious and wholly unworthy the great inventive genius of man. All this he wished to have swept from the heavens, proposing to substitute for the same the coats of arms of the ruling houses of Europe.[69] For Ursa Major he proposed the name Elephas with the figure of the Danish elephant, for Orion the name Aquila biceps and the Austrian double eagle, for Hercules the name Eques cum districto gladio and the insignia of Poland, for Leo the name tria Castella cum Aureo Vellere and the insignia of Spain, for Erichthonius the name Lilia tria and the insignia of France, for Lyra the name Citharae and the insignia of Britain, running thus through the entire list. In assigning his new names to the constellations he endeavored, in so far as possible, to assign them to such relative position in the heavens as the respective countries or houses occupied on earth.