PIERRE-CHARLES LEMONNIER

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PIERRE-CHARLES LEMONNIER

Pierre-Charles Lemonnier measures the speed of atmospheric electricity in a Carthusian monastery. Recorded Uranus before its discovery as a planet. Date: 1746

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Media ID 20149867

© Bubblepunk

1746 Atmospheric Carthusian Discovery Electricity Measures Monastery Pierre Planet Recorded Speed Uranus Lemonnier

EDITORS COMMENTS
In this image from 1746, Pierre-Charles Lemonnier, a renowned French scientist, is depicted in deep concentration as he meticulously measures the speed of atmospheric electricity within the tranquil confines of a Carthusian monastery. The Carthusian Order, known for their commitment to solitude and contemplative prayer, provided Lemonnier with an ideal environment to pursue his groundbreaking research. At the time, the study of electricity was a burgeoning field, and Lemonnier's innovative experiments contributed significantly to our understanding of this fascinating natural phenomenon. He used a Leyden jar, an early form of electrical storage device, to capture and measure the electric charge produced during a thunderstorm. By carefully recording the time it took for the charge to discharge, Lemonnier was able to calculate the speed of the electrical discharge in the atmosphere. This photograph also highlights an intriguing aspect of Lemonnier's scientific career: his role in the pre-discovery of Uranus. Although Uranus was not officially identified as a planet until 1781, Lemonnier had recorded its existence in his astronomical observations more than three decades earlier. In 1746, he noted an unusual celestial body beyond Saturn, which he believed to be a new planet. Although his discovery went unrecognized during his lifetime, Lemonnier's keen observational skills and dedication to scientific inquiry laid the groundwork for future astronomers to build upon his findings. This evocative image encapsulates the spirit of scientific exploration and the intriguing interplay between science and spirituality during the Enlightenment era. Lemonnier's pioneering research in the field of atmospheric electricity and his tantalizingly close brush with the discovery of Uranus continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike.

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