De Aurora Boreali (1737) – Suvremeni uvid u raspravu mladoga Boškovića

• Main Authors: Vladis, Vujnović; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Geophysics, Zagreb, Croatia; [e-mail], Inga, Lisac; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Geophysics, Zagreb, Croatia; [e-mail]
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Andrija Mohorovicic Geophysical Institute 2013
• Subjects: Ruđer Bošković; polarna svjetlost; razmjeri i gustoća atmosfere; aurora borealis; atmosphere dimensions and density
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/116072; http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/171584

Analiza Boškovićeve rane rasprave o polarnoj svjetlosti pruža uvid u snagu matematičkog postupka koji je mladi Bošković primijenio na istaknute geofizičke pojave, s namjerom da shvati njihovu prirodu. Na temelju danih podataka provjerili smo numeričke rezultate o visini atmosfere i visini polarnih svjetlosti koje su u Europi viđene 1726. i 1737. godine. U njegovu tekstu nema niti jedne ispisane matematičke formule. Slijedeći pak njegove upute, izveli smo formulu koja se može koristiti da bi se visina polarne svjetlosti odredila promatranjem s jednog motrišta. Primjenjivost metode, uz pretpostavljeni model polarne svjetlosti, prikladna je. Nalazimo da izložena ideja o fizičkom uzroku polarne svjetlosti, koji se traži u zamišljenim emanacijama Sunca, sadrži elemente suvremenih shvaćanja. An analysis of Bošković’s early paper concerned with the polar light (aurora borealis) gives an insight into the validity of the mathematical method which the young Bošković applied to significant geophysical phenomena in order to comprehend their nature. Based on the given data, we have examined numerical results about the height of atmosphere and the heights of the auroras which were observed over Europe in 1726 and in 1737. In his text there is not a single mathematical formula. Following his instructions we have derived a formula which may be used to determine the distance of an aurora by observing it from one station. For the assumed aurora model, his method is applicable. We find that described ideas on the physical cause of aurora, conceived in a fluid coming from the sun, have elements of modern knowledge.