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18th century illustration of the solar system
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18th century illustration of the solar system
Illustration depicting the solar system from Thomas Wrights book An Original Theory of the Universe, published in London in 1750. The illustration shows the Sun (centre) and the orbits of the six known planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn. The elliptical orbit of a comet is also shown. The image echoes the German mystic Boehme (or Behmen) in depicting Hell (represented by the serpent biting its tail) as being outside the solar system. In this book Wright (1711-86) gave the first correct explanation of the appearance of the Milky Way as being due to our immersion in a layer of stars
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6468119
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
18th Century Cosmology Historic History Of Science Jupiter Milky Way Saturn Solar System Thomas Venus Wright
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This 18th-century illustration of the solar system takes us back in time to a period when our understanding of the cosmos was still shrouded in mystery. Created by Thomas Wright and published in his groundbreaking book, "An Original Theory of the Universe" this artwork offers a glimpse into both scientific knowledge and spiritual beliefs of that era. At its center, we see the radiant Sun, surrounded by six known planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The orbits are meticulously depicted with precision and accuracy. Interestingly, Wright's illustration also includes the elliptical path of a comet—a celestial visitor that has fascinated humanity throughout history. What sets this image apart is its connection to German mystic Boehme's concept of Hell lying beyond our solar system. Symbolized by a serpent biting its tail—an ancient symbol representing eternity—Hell is portrayed as existing outside our cosmic realm. This intriguing blend of science and spirituality reflects the intellectual climate during Wright's time. Moreover, it was within these pages that Wright unveiled his revolutionary explanation for the appearance of the Milky Way—a phenomenon he attributed to our immersion in a vast layer of stars. This breakthrough laid an important foundation for future discoveries about our galaxy. As we gaze upon this remarkable print from Science Photo Library's collection, we are transported back to an age where art merged with astronomy and philosophy intertwined with scientific inquiry—a testament to human curiosity reaching for answers among distant celestial bodies.
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