Paper, 'A demonstration of an error committed by common surveyors in comparing of surveys taken at long intervals of time arising from the variation of the magnetick needle' by William Molyneux
Reference number: CLP/2/4
Date: 1697
Description
Molyneux provides observations on the errors of magnetic needles during periods of long use by surveyors. The variation of the magnetic needles was commonly known, so it is not explained extensively. Molyneux confirms that the certainty that the true solar meridian and the meridian shown by a needle only match in a few places of the world, and only for a moment.
An end note states this paper was chiefly designed for the ending of contests in the kingdom of Ireland about the interests of those whose lands are neighbouring and have been surveyed by magnetic instruments. Considering its universal use, it was thought useful to publish it at the Royal Society.
Subject: Scientific Instruments / Geodesy
Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'A demonstration of an error committed by common surveyors in comparing of surveys taken at long Intervals of time arising from the variation of the Magnetick Needle'.
Read to the Royal Society on 20 July 1697.
- Reference number
- CLP/2/4
- Earliest possible date
- 1697
- Physical description
- Ink on paper
- Page extent
- 4 pages
- Format
- Manuscript
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Citation
William Molyneux, Paper, 'A demonstration of an error committed by common surveyors in comparing of surveys taken at long intervals of time arising from the variation of the magnetick needle' by William Molyneux, 1697, CLP/2/4, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_4/paper-a-demonstration-of-an-error-committed-by-common-surveyors-in-comparing-of-surveys-taken-at-long-intervals-of-time-arising-from-the-variation-of-the-magnetick-needle-by-william-molyneux, accessed on 13 October 2024
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Related Publications
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IV. A demonstration of an error committed by common surveyors in comparing of surveys taken at long Intervals of time arising from the variation of the Magnetick Needle External link, opens in new tab.
Author: William Molyneux
Date: 1st July 1697
DOI: 10.1098/rstl.1695.0111
Hierarchy
This item is part of:
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Classified papers: volume 2 concerning 'Surveying, Opticks, Perspective, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Acoustics Mechanicks'
1656-1737 Reference number: CLP/2
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William Molyneux
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Classified Papers
Dates: 1592-1741
The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.View collection