HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY IN BRAZIL IN BRAZIL

Master John and the Antartic SkyMaster John and the Antartic SkyApril 27, 1500: “(...) we measured the height of the mid-day Sun and found April 27, 1500: “(...) we measured the height of the mid-day Sun and found it to be 56°, and the shadow was septentrional [meridional], which by the it to be 56°, and the shadow was septentrional [meridional], which by the astrolabe’s laws, we calculated to be apart from the equinocial by 17°, and, astrolabe’s laws, we calculated to be apart from the equinocial by 17°, and, therefore, have the antartic pole’s height of 17° [latitude] (...).”therefore, have the antartic pole’s height of 17° [latitude] (...).”

““(...) these Guards never hide; they are always above the horizon, (...); and (...) these Guards never hide; they are always above the horizon, (...); and these stars, especially from the Cross, are as big as those from the Carriage these stars, especially from the Cross, are as big as those from the Carriage [Ursa Major]; and the antartic pole star, our Southern Star, is as small as [Ursa Major]; and the antartic pole star, our Southern Star, is as small as the Northern Star and very dim (...).”the Northern Star and very dim (...).”

Tides by the IndiansTides by the Indians

Claude d’Abbeville (17th Century), Claude d’Abbeville (17th Century), on the Tupinambá tribe: “they on the Tupinambá tribe: “they associate the Moon with the associate the Moon with the comings and goings of the tides (...)”comings and goings of the tides (...)”

Dutch occupation (1637-1644)Dutch occupation (1637-1644)

Recife (PE)Recife (PE)Astronomer George Marcgrave (1610-1644)Astronomer George Marcgrave (1610-1644)Observatory at Observatory at Palácio FriburgoPalácio Friburgo (1639-1643) (1639-1643)

First in all Southern Hemisphere and in the Americas

Observed solar and lunars eclipses…Observed solar and lunars eclipses…

Johan Maurits van Johan Maurits van Nassau-SiegenNassau-Siegen

The Solar Eclipse of 1640The Solar Eclipse of 1640

Tractatus topographicus et meteorologicus cum eclipsi solaris Tractatus topographicus et meteorologicus cum eclipsi solaris (1658)(1658)

Brazil in the Brazil in the PrincipiaPrincipia

The Jesuit priest Valentin Stancel (1621-1705) observed a The Jesuit priest Valentin Stancel (1621-1705) observed a comet in 1668 and was explicitly mentioned by Isaac comet in 1668 and was explicitly mentioned by Isaac Newton in the Newton in the PrincipiaPrincipia (1687 - Book III, Prop. XLI, p. 507). (1687 - Book III, Prop. XLI, p. 507).

The First Observatory in RJThe First Observatory in RJ

Installed by Jesuits priests on Installed by Jesuits priests on Morro do CasteloMorro do Castelo in 1730. in 1730.

Bento Sánchez Dorta (1739-1795)Bento Sánchez Dorta (1739-1795)

Portuguese astronomer who measured the latitude and longitude of Rio Portuguese astronomer who measured the latitude and longitude of Rio de Janeiro observing eclipses of Jupiter’s sattelites between 1781 and de Janeiro observing eclipses of Jupiter’s sattelites between 1781 and 1788 in the observatory of 1788 in the observatory of Morro do CasteloMorro do Castelo. This work was published . This work was published in 1797 on the in 1797 on the Memórias da Academia Real das Sciencias de LisboaMemórias da Academia Real das Sciencias de Lisboa . .

Dom João VI (1767-1826)Dom João VI (1767-1826)

Created the Created the Academia da MarinhaAcademia da Marinha (1808) and the (1808) and the Academia Real Academia Real MilitarMilitar (1810). Both institutions taught Astronomy. (1810). Both institutions taught Astronomy.

Astronomical Observatory (1827)Astronomical Observatory (1827)

Dom Pedro I decreed in 15/10/1827 the creation of the Dom Pedro I decreed in 15/10/1827 the creation of the Astronomical Observatory “installed” at the Military School Astronomical Observatory “installed” at the Military School Pavillion.Pavillion. Between 1827 and 1871 it was used almost exclusively for the Between 1827 and 1871 it was used almost exclusively for the instruction of the cadets.instruction of the cadets.

Imperial Observatory of RJImperial Observatory of RJ

New name given, in 1845, to the Astronomical Observatory, refounded by New name given, in 1845, to the Astronomical Observatory, refounded by D. Pedro II. Between 1846 and 1850 it was transferred to Morro do Castelo, D. Pedro II. Between 1846 and 1850 it was transferred to Morro do Castelo, where, from 1871, became dedicated to research and civil service in where, from 1871, became dedicated to research and civil service in Meteorology, Astronomy, Geophysics and Cronology.Meteorology, Astronomy, Geophysics and Cronology.

Dom Pedro II (1825-1891)Dom Pedro II (1825-1891)

Astronomy enthusiast, donated his own instruments to the Astronomy enthusiast, donated his own instruments to the Imperial Observatory. He was recently honored with the Imperial Observatory. He was recently honored with the creation of the Astronomer’s Day, on Dec. 2nd, his birthday. creation of the Astronomer’s Day, on Dec. 2nd, his birthday.

Observatório da Escola PolitécnicaObservatório da Escola Politécnica

Opened on Morro de Santo Antônio, in Downtown Rio, in 1881.Opened on Morro de Santo Antônio, in Downtown Rio, in 1881.

Luiz Cruls (1848-1908)Luiz Cruls (1848-1908)

Director of the Imperial Observatory from 1881 to 1908;Director of the Imperial Observatory from 1881 to 1908; Observed the transit of Venus in Punta Atenas (Chile) in 1882;Observed the transit of Venus in Punta Atenas (Chile) in 1882; Was awarded the Valz Prize, by the Paris Academy of Science, Was awarded the Valz Prize, by the Paris Academy of Science,

“for his diverse work on comets”;“for his diverse work on comets”; Had an active role in the selection process for the geographical Had an active role in the selection process for the geographical

site for the new capital of Brazil.site for the new capital of Brazil.

Henrique Morize (1860-1930)Henrique Morize (1860-1930)

Director of the Imperial Observatory (later National Director of the Imperial Observatory (later National Observatory) from 1908 to 1929;Observatory) from 1908 to 1929;

Founding member and first president of the Brazilian Society Founding member and first president of the Brazilian Society for the Sciences (currently Brazilian Academy of Sciences);for the Sciences (currently Brazilian Academy of Sciences);

Thanks to him, Brazil joined IAU.Thanks to him, Brazil joined IAU.

National Observatory (1909)National Observatory (1909)In Nov. 18, 1909, the name of the Imperial Observatory was In Nov. 18, 1909, the name of the Imperial Observatory was changed to National Observatory. changed to National Observatory.

Cronology Room (1909)Cronology Room (1909)

Astronomical and Meteorological Astronomical and Meteorological Observatory (SP)Observatory (SP)

From 1912 through 1941 is was located at Avenida Paulista. From 1912 through 1941 is was located at Avenida Paulista. Later, it was transfered to Parque do Estado, under its new Later, it was transfered to Parque do Estado, under its new name, São Paulo Observatory. It later became the name, São Paulo Observatory. It later became the headquarters of IAG-USP. headquarters of IAG-USP.

ON in São Cristóvão (1922)ON in São Cristóvão (1922)

National Observatory Headquarters, built in the beginning National Observatory Headquarters, built in the beginning of the 20th century.of the 20th century.

ON’s ON’s CampusCampus

Panoramic view of the telescope domes, end of the 1920’s. Panoramic view of the telescope domes, end of the 1920’s.

ON’s ON’s CampusCampus

ON’s VicinityON’s Vicinity

ON

Centro de Tradições Nordestinas

Observatório do ValongoObservatório do ValongoBetween 1924-1926, the Observatory of the Polithecnic School Between 1924-1926, the Observatory of the Polithecnic School was transfered to the Valongo Estate, in Morro da Conceição, was transfered to the Valongo Estate, in Morro da Conceição, and is renamed Valongo Observatory. and is renamed Valongo Observatory.

Cook & Sons equatorial telescope, from 1910.Cook & Sons equatorial telescope, from 1910.

1919

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1919 Solar Eclipse1919 Solar Eclipse

Einstein in Brazil – ON (1925)Einstein in Brazil – ON (1925)

““The ideia my mind conceived was proven in the The ideia my mind conceived was proven in the sunny sky of Brazilsunny sky of Brazil””

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Sociedade Astronômica BrasileiraSociedade Astronômica Brasileira Founded in 1974 by Brazilian astronomersFounded in 1974 by Brazilian astronomers;;

Official representative of the astronomical communityOfficial representative of the astronomical community;;

Promotes annual meetings, bulletins and commissions;Promotes annual meetings, bulletins and commissions;

Around 400 members (present), from which 200 hold Ph.D.sAround 400 members (present), from which 200 hold Ph.D.s

Planetário do RioPlanetário do Rio

The First Brazilian Flag (1500)The First Brazilian Flag (1500)

Colônia do Brasil (1500-1580)Colônia do Brasil (1500-1580)

Principado do Brasil (1645-1808)Principado do Brasil (1645-1808)

Império do Brasil (1822-1889)Império do Brasil (1822-1889)

República do Brasil (Provisória)República do Brasil (Provisória)

15 through 19/11/188915 through 19/11/1889

República do Brasil (Atual)República do Brasil (Atual)

Astronomy in the Brazilian FlagAstronomy in the Brazilian Flag