Skip to content

Please be aware that some material may contain words, descriptions or illustrations which will not reflect current scientific understanding and may be considered in today's context inaccurate, unethical, offensive or distressing.

The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Translated paper, 'Inquiry concerning the figure of such planets as revolve about an Axis supposing the Density continually to vary, from the Center towards the Surface' by Alexis Claude Clairaut

Reference number: CLP/8ii/77

Date: 1737

Description

English translation by John Colson, of original paper in French.

Engraved figures from Philosophical Transactions attached (see CLP/8ii/77/2)

Subject: Astronomy / Physics

Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'An inquiry concerning the figure of such planets as revolve about an axis, supposing the density continually to vary, from the centre towards the surface; By Mr. Alexis Clairaut, F. R. S. and Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. Translated from the French by the Rev. John Colson Lucas. Prof. Math. Cantab. and F. R. S'

Reference number
CLP/8ii/77
Earliest possible date
1737
Physical description
Ink on paper, manuscript and printed engravings of figures
Page extent
33 pages
Format
Manuscript
Print

Creator name

Alexis Claude Clairaut

View page for Alexis Claude Clairaut

Use this record

IIIF manifest

View​ IIIF ​ manifest Opens in new tab

Open in Mirador viewer Opens in new tab

Export this record

Download PDF Opens in new tab

Citation

Alexis Claude Clairaut, Translated paper, 'Inquiry concerning the figure of such planets as revolve about an Axis supposing the Density continually to vary, from the Center towards the Surface' by Alexis Claude Clairaut, 1737, CLP/8ii/77, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_8ii_77/translated-paper-inquiry-concerning-the-figure-of-such-planets-as-revolve-about-an-axis-supposing-the-density-continually-to-vary-from-the-center-towards-the-surface-by-alexis-claude-clairaut, accessed on 13 May 2025

Link to this record

https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_8ii_77/translated-paper-inquiry-concerning-the-figure-of-such-planets-as-revolve-about-an-axis-supposing-the-density-continually-to-vary-from-the-center-towards-the-surface-by-alexis-claude-clairaut

Embed this record

<iframe src="https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/embed/items/clp_8ii_77/translated-paper-inquiry-concerning-the-figure-of-such-planets-as-revolve-about-an-axis-supposing-the-density-continually-to-vary-from-the-center-towards-the-surface-by-alexis-claude-clairaut" title="Translated paper, 'Inquiry concerning the figure of such planets as revolve about an Axis supposing the Density continually to vary, from the Center towards the Surface' by Alexis Claude Clairaut" allow="fullscreen" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="500px"></iframe>

Related Publications

Hierarchy

This item is part of:

Related Fellows

Explore the collection

  • Classified Papers

    The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.

    Dates: 1592 - 1741

    View collection