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Behaviour of a magnetic compass, 1643
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Behaviour of a magnetic compass, 1643
Behaviour of a magnetic compass, 1643. If a compass in a box is carried round a globe-shaped magnet (N, centre of picture) with magnetic poles where lines cross (left and right of N), magnets ab at C and D can be set in any position as they are directly between the poles. From Magnes: sive de arte Magnetica by Athanasius Kircher. (Cologne, 1643)
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Media ID 14846501
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Athanasius Athanasius Kircher Athanasius Kirchner Compass Diagram Kircher Kirchner Athanasius Magnet Magnetic Magnetism Navigation Navigational Device Physics Sphere Ann Ronan Pictures
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This print captures the intriguing "Behaviour of a magnetic compass" from 1643. The image showcases a compass enclosed in a box, being carried around a globe-shaped magnet with magnetic poles on either side. The magnet's north pole is positioned at the center of the picture, while two magnets labeled as ab can be seen at points C and D. The diagram demonstrates that these magnets can be set in any position as they are directly between the magnetic poles. This woodcut illustration was originally featured in Athanasius Kircher's renowned book "Magnes: sive de arte Magnetica" published in Cologne during the 17th century. With its scientific significance, this print offers us an insight into early navigational devices and their reliance on magnetism for accurate navigation. It represents an important milestone in understanding how compasses functioned centuries ago. The monochrome aesthetic adds to the vintage charm of this seventeenth-century German woodcut. Its intricate details showcase both the craftsmanship involved in creating such prints and Kircher's dedication to unraveling mysteries related to magnetism. Preserved by Heritage Images, this anonymous work serves as a testament to Athanasius Kircher's contributions to science and his exploration of magnetic phenomena during his time.
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