Eustachio Manfredi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eustachio Manfredi
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Eustachio Manfredi engraving dated 1792 by Francesco Rosaspina
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| Born | 20 September 1674 Bologna, Papal States
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| Died | 15 February 1739 (aged 64) Bologna, Papal States
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| Nationality | Bolognese |
| Occupation | Mathematician, astronomer and poet |
Eustachio Manfredi (born September 20, 1674 – died February 15, 1739) was a brilliant Italian scientist. He was known for his work as a mathematician, an astronomer who studied stars and planets, and even a poet. He lived in Bologna, Italy, during a time when science was making big leaps forward.
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About Eustachio Manfredi
Eustachio Manfredi was born in Bologna, Italy, on September 20, 1674. He went to a Jesuit school, which is a type of Catholic school. Later, he studied at the University of Bologna. He earned a law degree in 1691. But at the same time, he was very interested in science. He spent a lot of time studying mathematics and astronomy. He also loved literature and writing.
Starting a Science Club
Around 1690, Manfredi started a special group called the Accademia degli Inquieti. This name means "Academy of the Unquiet" or "Academy of the Restless." It was a place in Bologna where scientists could meet. They would talk about new ideas and discoveries. At first, these meetings happened at Manfredi's own house. After four years, the group needed more space. So, they moved to Jacopo Sandri's house. In 1705, they moved again to a large building. This building belonged to a nobleman named Conte Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli. In 1714, the Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna was officially opened. Manfredi's group, the Accademia degli Inquieti, joined this new, bigger academy.
Important Jobs and Roles
In 1698, Manfredi became a professor of mathematics. He taught at the University of Bologna. In 1704, he was given an important job. He became the "Superintendent of the waters of Bologna." This meant he was in charge of managing the city's water supply. He also became the head of Montalto College. This college trained young men who wanted to become priests. In 1711, Manfredi became the director of the Astronomical Observatory of Bologna. An observatory is a place with telescopes to study space. He held this important position until he died. Manfredi was also a member of famous science groups. He joined the French Academy of Sciences in Paris in 1726. He also became a member of the Royal Society of London in 1729. He died in Bologna on February 15, 1739.
His Scientific Discoveries
Manfredi did a lot of amazing scientific work. On November 29, 1707, he and Vittorio Francesco Stancari discovered a comet. A comet is a small, icy body that orbits the Sun. Manfredi wrote several important science books. These include Ephemerides motuum coelestium (1715–1725). This book contained tables that predicted the positions of celestial bodies. He also wrote De transitu Mercurii per solem anno 1723 (1724). This book was about the planet Mercury passing in front of the Sun. Another work was De gnomone meridiano bononiensi (1736). His book Instituzioni astronomiche (1749) was published after he died.
Earth's Revolution and Galileo
An asteroid, which is a small rocky object in space, was named after him. It is called 13225 Manfredi. It was named to honor Eustachio and his two brothers, Gabriele Manfredi and Eraclito Manfredi. Eustachio Manfredi made a very important discovery. He helped show that the Earth really does orbit the Sun. This idea is called the heliocentric system. It means the Sun is at the center of our solar system. Because of his work, the Church accepted this scientific idea. They even removed many of Galileo Galilei's works from a list of forbidden books. Galileo had also supported the idea of Earth orbiting the Sun.
His Poems
Manfredi was also a well-known poet in his time. He was part of a poetry group called the Academy of Arcadia. His special name in this group was "Aci Delpusiano." His collection of poems, Rime of Manfredi, was first published in 1713. A final edition was published in 1748, after he died. This was done by his friend Giampietro Zanotti. His poems often described events of the time. These included births, weddings, and deaths. His most famous poems are a group called "for a nun." These poems were inspired by a girl named Giulia Caterina Vandi. She was from Bologna and became a nun in a convent. Manfredi had fallen in love with her. This group of poems includes his masterpiece, "Woman, they are your eyes." He also wrote many sonnets in the style of the famous poet Petrarch.
