The astronomical tables of Jacob ben David Bonjorn (Q1205962): Difference between revisions

This study is devoted to mathematical astronomy, with special reference to Jacob Ben David Bonjorn's tables, son of a well-known astronomer established in Perpignan, France, in the 14th century. His only work is a treatise on the lunar motion, presented in a tabular form (1361 being the radix year; also, all calculations were done for the latitude of Perpignan). The text, representing actually a description of the tables' use, makes mention of both Ptolemy and Maimonides, and Abraham Bar Hiyya, Levi Ben Gerson and King Alfonso X. The tables, containing initial data for the subsequent numerical analysis can be structured into 5 different groups, namely: -- True syzygies -- containing 31 yearly subtables, following the Christian calendar, starting in March; -- Corrections for both luminaries -- also known as ``Tabula equationis loci solis et argumentum latitudinis lunae in aliis revolutionibus'', is a two-argument table with 24 rows and 18 columns; -- Parallax -- 12 monthly tables containing all the information on parallax, calculated for the latitude of Perpignan; for each day, the sun enters into a zodiacal sign; -- Solar eclipses at the mean distances (the mean distance of the sun between its apogee and perigee); -- Lunar eclipses at the mean distance containing the argument of lunar latitude.