Josef (also José or Joseph) de Mendoza y Ríos (1761–1816) was a Spanish astronomer and mathematician of the 18th century, famous for his work on navigation. The first work of Mendoza y Ríos was published in 1787: his treatise[1] about the science and technique of navigation in two tomes. He also published several tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy and useful in navigation to calculate the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun, and the longitude from the distances of the moon from a celestial body.
In 1787, De Mendoza published his first work, his treatise[3] on the sciences and techniques of navigation in two volumes, a reference work of the time. After this, he proposed the creation of the maritime library, located in Cádiz, which would eventually become the Depósito Hidrográfico of the navy.
He also published several tables using the harversine method (of his invention), to facilitate the calculations of nautical astronomy and navigation. Mainly oriented to the calculation of the latitude of a ship at sea by means of two heights of the Sun and the time elapsed between them, and to the obtaining of the longitude by the method of lunar distances.
As a curious fact about the method of calculation of that time, while writing the last edition of his famous Lunar Tables, in 1815 (ten months before he died drowned in Brighton), he wrote a letter to general Espinosa y Tello (a good friend of him), where he said verbatim: "... I have at hand Works of such magnitude that two calculators cannot cope, I will take four or five more calculators on my return to London ... "[5]
Tratado de Navegación. Tomo I y tomo II, Madrid, Imprenta Real, 1787.
Memoria sobre algunos métodos nuevos de calcular la longitud por las distancias lunares: y application de su teórica á la solucion de otros problemas de navegacion. Madrid, Imprenta Real, 1795.[6]
Colección de tablas para varios usos de la navegación. Madrid, Imprenta Real, 1800. (Traducida al inglés al año siguiente).
Table des latitudes croissantes Connoissance des Temps... pour l’annee comune 1793 (1791): 303.
Mémoire sur la methode de trouver la latitude par le moyen de deux hauteurs du soleil, del’intervalle de tems écoule entre les deux observations, et de la latitude estimée. Connoissance des Temps pour l’année comune 1793 (1791): 289–302.
Mémoire sur la méthode de trouver la latitude par le moyen de deux hauteurs du soleil, de l'intervalle de temps écoulé entre les deux observations et de la latitude estimée, ... [Paris], [S.I.], [1793].8°, 14 p. et planche.
Memoire sur le calcul de la longitude en mer, par les distances de la lune au soleil et aux étoiles. Connaissance des Temps... (1796–1797): 258–284.
Recherches sur les solutions des principaux problemes de l'astronomie nautique. Philosophical Transactions, 87 (1797): 43–122.
Recherches sur les solutions des principaux problemes de l´astronomie nautique. London, [S.I.], 1797.4º, 4 + 85 p.
Tables to correct the observed altitudes of the sun, moon and the stars. London, [S.I.], [1801]4º, 92 p.
On an improved reflecting circle. Philosophical Transactions, 91 (1801): 363–374.
On an improved reflecting circle London, W. Bulmer, 1801.4º, 14 p.
Tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy, and particularly of the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun, and that the longitude from the distances of the moon from the sun or a star, and particularly of the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun, and that of the longitude from the distances of the moon from the sun or a star; containing the natural versed – sines to every 10 seconds, and the logarithmic-sines, double-sines, versed-sines, &c. to every minute from 0 to 80 degrees; and several other tables, useful in astronomy and navigation. London, R. Faulder, 1801. 4º, 8 + 311 + 77 p. Appendix, containing tables for clearing the apparent distances of the moon from the sun or a star, from the effects of parallax and refraction. By H. Cavendish: 77 p. at end.
A complete collection of tables for navigation and nautical astronomy, with simple, concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea; particularly for deducing the longitude from lunar distance, and the latitude from two altitudes of the sun and the interval of time between the observations. London, printed by T. Bensley, sold by R. Faulder, etc., 1805. Folio, 12 + 47 + 670 p. + 1 h.
A Complete Collection of Tables for Navigation and Nautical Astronomy. With simple, concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea. Connaissance des Temps... pour l’an 1808 (1806): 443–447.
A Complete Collection of Tables for Navigation and Nautical Astronomy. With simple, concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea; particularly for deducing the longitude from lunar distance, and the latitude from lunar distance, and the latitude from two altitudes of the sun and the interval of time between the observations. 2nd ed. improved. London, T. Bensley, 1809. 4º, 6 p. + 1 h. + 604 p. + 58 p. + 1 h.
Tables for facilitating the calculation of nautical astronomy. London, 1812.
Forms for the ready calculation of the longitude... with the Tables published by Joseph de Mendoza Ríos. London, Black, Parry, & Co, 1814.4º, [76] + [2] p.
^FUNDACIÓN MAPFRE - CT001. Obras clásicas de náutica y navegación.
^On an improved reflecting circle. Philosophical Transactions, 91 (1801): 363-374.
^FUNDACIÓN MAPFRE - CT001. Obras clásicas de náutica y navegación.
^On an improved reflecting circle. Philosophical Transactions, 91 (1801): 363-374.
^Enciclopedia general del Mar, Garriga, Barcelona, Vol. V, pag.1122
^de Mendoza y Ríos, Joseph (1795). Memoria sobre algunos métodos nuevos de calcular la longitud por las distancias lunares: y aplicación de su teórica á la solucion de otros problemas de navegacion (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Imprenta Real.
External linksedit
Media related to José de Mendoza y Ríos at Wikimedia Commons
On an Improved Reflecting Circle — Philosophical Transactions.
LA COLECCIÓN DE MENDOZA Y RÍOS EN EL MUSEO NAVAL DE MADRID[permanent dead link]
josef, mendoza, ríos, josef, also, josé, joseph, mendoza, ríos, 1761, 1816, spanish, astronomer, mathematician, 18th, century, famous, work, navigation, first, work, mendoza, ríos, published, 1787, treatise, about, science, technique, navigation, tomes, also, . Josef also Jose or Joseph de Mendoza y Rios 1761 1816 was a Spanish astronomer and mathematician of the 18th century famous for his work on navigation The first work of Mendoza y Rios was published in 1787 his treatise 1 about the science and technique of navigation in two tomes He also published several tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy and useful in navigation to calculate the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun and the longitude from the distances of the moon from a celestial body Josef de Mendoza y RiosPortrait of Mendoza y Rios Born 1761 01 29 29 January 1761Sevilla SpainDied4 March 1816 1816 03 04 aged 55 Brighton EnglandNationalitySpanishKnown forHis Tratado de Navegacion and the Tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy Scientific careerFieldsNavigation Astronomy MathematicsInstitutionsRoyal Society 1793 French Academy of Sciences In the field of the nautical instruments he improved the reflecting circle 2 In 1816 he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Contents 1 Biography 2 His work 3 Honors 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksBiography editIn 1787 De Mendoza published his first work his treatise 3 on the sciences and techniques of navigation in two volumes a reference work of the time After this he proposed the creation of the maritime library located in Cadiz which would eventually become the Deposito Hidrografico of the navy He also published several tables using the harversine method of his invention to facilitate the calculations of nautical astronomy and navigation Mainly oriented to the calculation of the latitude of a ship at sea by means of two heights of the Sun and the time elapsed between them and to the obtaining of the longitude by the method of lunar distances In the field of nautical instruments he perfected the reflecting circle 4 of Borda In 1816 he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences As a curious fact about the method of calculation of that time while writing the last edition of his famous Lunar Tables in 1815 ten months before he died drowned in Brighton he wrote a letter to general Espinosa y Tello a good friend of him where he said verbatim I have at hand Works of such magnitude that two calculators cannot cope I will take four or five more calculators on my return to London 5 His work edit nbsp Tratado de Navegacion Tomo primero nbsp Tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy nbsp Mendoza repeating circle made circa 1810 by Edward Troughton London On display at the Musee national de la Marine Paris Tratado de Navegacion Tomo I y tomo II Madrid Imprenta Real 1787 Memoria sobre algunos metodos nuevos de calcular la longitud por las distancias lunares y application de su teorica a la solucion de otros problemas de navegacion Madrid Imprenta Real 1795 6 Coleccion de tablas para varios usos de la navegacion Madrid Imprenta Real 1800 Traducida al ingles al ano siguiente Table des latitudes croissantes Connoissance des Temps pour l annee comune 1793 1791 303 Memoire sur la methode de trouver la latitude par le moyen de deux hauteurs du soleil del intervalle de tems ecoule entre les deux observations et de la latitude estimee Connoissance des Temps pour l annee comune 1793 1791 289 302 Memoire sur la methode de trouver la latitude par le moyen de deux hauteurs du soleil de l intervalle de temps ecoule entre les deux observations et de la latitude estimee Paris S I 1793 8 14 p et planche Memoire sur le calcul de la longitude en mer par les distances de la lune au soleil et aux etoiles Connaissance des Temps 1796 1797 258 284 Recherches sur les solutions des principaux problemes de l astronomie nautique Philosophical Transactions 87 1797 43 122 Recherches sur les solutions des principaux problemes de l astronomie nautique London S I 1797 4º 4 85 p Tables to correct the observed altitudes of the sun moon and the stars London S I 1801 4º 92 p On an improved reflecting circle Philosophical Transactions 91 1801 363 374 On an improved reflecting circle London W Bulmer 1801 4º 14 p Tables for facilitating the calculations of nautical astronomy and particularly of the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun and that the longitude from the distances of the moon from the sun or a star and particularly of the latitude of a ship at sea from two altitudes of the sun and that of the longitude from the distances of the moon from the sun or a star containing the natural versed sines to every 10 seconds and the logarithmic sines double sines versed sines amp c to every minute from 0 to 80 degrees and several other tables useful in astronomy and navigation London R Faulder 1801 4º 8 311 77 p Appendix containing tables for clearing the apparent distances of the moon from the sun or a star from the effects of parallax and refraction By H Cavendish 77 p at end A complete collection of tables for navigation and nautical astronomy with simple concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea particularly for deducing the longitude from lunar distance and the latitude from two altitudes of the sun and the interval of time between the observations London printed by T Bensley sold by R Faulder etc 1805 Folio 12 47 670 p 1 h A Complete Collection of Tables for Navigation and Nautical Astronomy With simple concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea Connaissance des Temps pour l an 1808 1806 443 447 A Complete Collection of Tables for Navigation and Nautical Astronomy With simple concise and accurate methods for all the calculation useful at sea particularly for deducing the longitude from lunar distance and the latitude from lunar distance and the latitude from two altitudes of the sun and the interval of time between the observations 2nd ed improved London T Bensley 1809 4º 6 p 1 h 604 p 58 p 1 h Tables for facilitating the calculation of nautical astronomy London 1812 Forms for the ready calculation of the longitude with the Tables published by Joseph de Mendoza Rios London Black Parry amp Co 1814 4º 76 2 p Honors editMendoza Cove in Antarctica is named after Jose de Mendoza y Rios See also editBowditch s American Practical Navigator Celestial navigation Haversine History of longitude Lunar distance navigation Marine sandglass Nautical almanac Navigational algorithms Sextant Reflecting instrumentReferences edit FUNDACIoN MAPFRE CT001 Obras clasicas de nautica y navegacion On an improved reflecting circle Philosophical Transactions 91 1801 363 374 FUNDACIoN MAPFRE CT001 Obras clasicas de nautica y navegacion On an improved reflecting circle Philosophical Transactions 91 1801 363 374 Enciclopedia general del Mar Garriga Barcelona Vol V pag 1122 de Mendoza y Rios Joseph 1795 Memoria sobre algunos metodos nuevos de calcular la longitud por las distancias lunares y aplicacion de su teorica a la solucion de otros problemas de navegacion in Spanish Madrid Spain Imprenta Real External links edit nbsp Media related to Jose de Mendoza y Rios at Wikimedia Commons On an Improved Reflecting Circle Philosophical Transactions Joseph de Mendoza y Rios Teoria observacion y tablas IMMR LA COLECCIoN DE MENDOZA Y RIOS EN EL MUSEO NAVAL DE MADRID permanent dead link Los mapas de la Coleccion Mendoza Biblioteca Nacional de Espana Navigational Algorithms http sites google com site navigationalalgorithms facsimile of the Latitude and Lunar Distance chapters Tratado de Navegacion Tome I http www google es books id egw6EJqi3rYC Tratado de Navegacion Tome II http www google es books id GunvU8qfXzYC Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Josef de Mendoza y Rios amp oldid 1212593428, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
