Beschreibung:

FRAUNHOFER, Joseph (1787-1826). ‘Bestimmung des Brechungs- und Farbenzerstreuungs-Vermögens verschiedener Glasarten’. In: Denkschriften der koeniglichen Academie der Wissenschaften zu München , vol.5, pp.193-226. Munich: 1817. First edition, journal issue, of a fundamental paper in astrophysics, containing the first illustration of the solar spectrum. Fraunhofer, a skilled optician and designer of precision instruments, described in this paper, read before the Bavarian Academy in 1815, his accidental discovery of the absorption lines of the solar spectrum. ‘He plotted 576 such lines, noted the constancy of relative position irrespective of light source – sun, moon, stars, flame. He thus created the science of solar and stellar chemistry’ (Dibner). Although his research was conducted with the purely practical aim of producing the finest possible optical instruments, Fraunhofer's achievements ‘justify describing him as the founder of astrophysics’ (PMM). Dibner 153; Norman 836; PMM 278a. Quarto (270 x 220mm). 3 engraved plates relating to this article, of which 2 folding, and a further 9 plates. Original wrappers, paper spine label, uncut (2 tiny holes in upper cover).