[meteorite-list] Part II: American David Rittenhouse (Warning - Pre-Chladni)

From: Michael Gilmer <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:37:38 -0400
Message-ID: <CAKBPJW9A3uCvpePKvwRs+sOJ8v5nf2oc=Cf5u7h5WbvcBLyqbQ_at_mail.gmail.com>

I apologize to the List for my little Franklin mini-rant this morning.
 Chalk it up to a generally sour mood and not enough coffee in my
blood-stream at the time of posting.

Best regards,

MikeG



On 10/23/11, Martin Altmann <altmann at meteorite-martin.de> wrote:
> Uh?
>
>>... the only question I have is to what degree Chladni references this
> prior published work in his work.
>
> Well, if we take Chladni's work of 1794 about the origin of meteorites and
> fireballs,
> He refers to Rittenhouse (& Page) in the third chapter, where he gives
> several fireball observations as examples. There Ritterhouse's&Page's
> account is one among many, there Chladni wrote, giving also the correct
> source (Philos. transact. of the American Society, Vol II, page 173) - that
> Page&Ritterhouse describe a fireball, they observed on Oct 31, 1779 which
> had a long and winded tail, that the observed height was 60 miles, the
> diameter of the fireball at least 3 miles and that the velocity couldn't
> have been measured.
> In that small catalogue the Rittenhouse report is only one from many other,
> like those of Muschenbroek, Vassali, Silberschlag, Chalmer, Ulloa, Kirch,
> Balbi, Halley, Winthrop, Smith&Baker,
> Pringle, Le Roy& LaLande, Cavallo, Aubert, Cooper, Edgeword, Pigot,
> Bernstorf, Bladge..
> Several earlier than Rittenhouse and many with similar or more "data".
>
> For the heights, he listes data retrieved by parallaxes
> of the fireballs of 1676, 1708, Feb. 1719, May 1719, 1758, 1762, 1771, - to
> name those before Rittenhouse.
>
> For the electric origin, which he disregards,
> he refers to Vassalli 1787, Senebier, Saussure & Toaldo 1789, Reimarius
> 1778, le Roy 1771, Beccaria (1716-1781).
>
> And finally as exponents for the origin of meteors stemming from outer space
> (and also partially orbitating the sun) he refers to Maskelyne, to Wallis,
> to Hartsoeker (1707), Hevelius, Halley.
> (always giving the bibliographical references).
>
>
> Therefore... Rittenhouse played no role for Chladni's work. Neither did he
> adorn himself with borrowed plumes.
>
> Mythbusting busted.
>
> ;-)
> Martin
>
>
>
> -----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
> [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von
> MexicoDoug
> Gesendet: Sonntag, 23. Oktober 2011 12:23
> An: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Betreff: [meteorite-list] Part II: American David Rittenhouse (Warning -
> Pre-Chladni)
>
> Dear list,
>
> OK, let me change the tone a bit and remind you that we left off with
> Franklin's death in 1790, Chladni playing his musical instrument for a
> physicist who told him to dig through the Philosophical Society
> Journals to explain meteors, in a similar fashion Franklin tried to
> explain what the other light in the sky was-lightning.
>
> We have the American Astronomer, David Rittenhouse taking the
> presidency of the American Philosophical Society at Franklin's passing
> in 1790 and until his death in 1796. This interval was precisely the
> time Chladni, who had a lifelong connection to Franklin through music,
> probably of great respect, was in the library reading obsessively the
> accounts of the Philosophical Societies looking for information about
> meteor accounts.
>
> As Franklin must have been a larger than life figure in Chladni's
> world, let's say now that Chladni may have admired him, undoubtedly he
> read the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society where
> Franklin published more than any other and Franklin greatly respected
> Rittenhouse as a great astronomer. Independently, Rittenhouse had a
> great reputation among Europeans as a first class astronomer, which was
> shocking that it could be possible to some given the adverse conditions
> in the colonies ref:
>
> You can read the potential electrical explanation Rittenhouse touches
> upon and be certain he discussed this with his great buddy Ben Franklin
> (He was the Chairman at the time of the Astronomy Department at the
> University of Pennsylvania, which Ben Franklin founded and they were
> great friends). So we can safely assume now that Franklin had a
> similar line of thinking and it may not have been contentiously
> "electrical" when talking about the meteor phenomenon.
>
> What follows is the text of the original Letters exchanged between
> Rittenhouse and John Page a fellow astronomer. In this exchange you
> can see what is likely the first triangulation of a bolide, the first
> theory that a a bolide or meteor produces light by passing dense
> material that is sufficiently solid to resist immediate destruction
> upon passing through the atmosphere. You can also find the height at
> which the luminous path begins reasonably calculated, and you can find
> the question on why these bodies from space at one point compared to
> iron filings don't hit people and buildings more often, being early
> references to hammer stones or irons.
>
> You can also find the convincing scientific arguments on why they have
> mass, are from space in their own independent orbits and not from earth
> and occur upon chance intersection with earth's trip around the Sun.
>
> The only thing we are missing is the meteorite itself which was
> conjectured.
>
> The witness reports these gentlemen made was so convincing, published
> 10 years before Chladni, and given Chaldni's special connection to
> Franklin and now Rittenhouse's being the president of the American
> Society at just the right time ... the only question I have is to what
> degree Chladni references this prior published work in his work.
>
> Thus, the situation in Europe was very different than that among the
> Americans ... where the question being asked was not, "How can rocks
> fall from the sky", but rather, How can't rocks fall from the sky?
>
> Transactions of the American Philosophical
>
> Society
>
> Letters on the ACCOUNT OF A METEOR
>
>
> >From John Page, Esq., to David
>
> Rittenhouse, Esq.
>
> Williamsburg, December 4, 1779
>
> Read May 2, 1783
>
> ...recalls to my mind the meteor that was seen in many distant places
> in Virginia on thwe 31st of October at about 6:10 PM It was what is
> vulgarly called a falling star. It fell as seen at Rosewell about
> three or four degrees to the north of west and left a bright trail of
> light behind i; which extended from the horizon perpendicularly above 7
> degrees; unluckily I lost view of it when falling, but was called out
> time enough to see the grand and beautiful appearance of its trail of
> light. It was seen for near 15 minutes, it was as bright as shining
> silver, and broad as the enlightened part pf the new moon, when first
> visible about 7 degrees in length, it might be represented by number 1
> (Doug: see figure www.diogenite.com/jpage.jpg ), when I saw it first,
> and by the other figures at intervals of about a minute after. Just
> before it disappeared, it resembled the edge of a cloud. The sky was
> remarkably clear and serene. It appeared in the same manner exactly to
> several gentlemen above an hundred miles from Rosewell, but on a
> different point of the compass. I have not yet so accurate an account
> of its bearing as to ascertain its height and distance. Did you see
> anything of it?
> I am, dear sir, yours most sincerely,
> JOHN PAGE.
>
>
> from David Rittenhouse, Esquire, to John Page, Esquire
>
> Philadelphia, January 16, 1780
>
> Read May 2, 1783
>
> ...The Extraordinary Meteor you mention was likewise visible here, the
> air being serene and clear.. I did not see it until the bright streak
> was become very crooked, it then bore 70 degrees W. nearly, from
> Philadelphia, and comparing this course with that observed by you,
> adding 2.5 degrees for the depression of that place below your horizon,
> its entire apparent altitude above the spot where it fell was 9.5
> degrees which, on a radius of 365 miles, will be 61 miles perpendicular
> height. The breadth of the luminous vapor was, I think, in some
> places, when I saw it, not less than a quarter of a degree; this at 480
> miles distancemust have been at least two miles.
>
> It was certainly a grand appearance near the place where it fell, if
> any human eye was there. May not these shooting stars be bodies
> altogether foreign to the earth and its atmosphere, accidentally
> meeting with it as they are swiftly traveling the great void of space?
> And may they not, either electrically or by some other means, excite a
> luminous appearance on entering our atmosphere? I am inclined to this
> opinion for the following reasons: 1st It is not probable that meteors
> should be generated in the air at the height of 50 to 60 miles, on
> account of its extreme rareness (Doug: rareness=low density); and many
> falling stars, besides this, are known with certainty to have been at
> very great heights. 2ndly. Their motions cannot be owing to gravity,
> for they descend in all directions, and but seldom perpendicularly to
> the horizon. Besides, their velocities are much too great. This
> meteor would not have fallen by the force of gravity from the place
> where it first appeared, to the earth, in less than two minutes of
> time; nor in less than 10 seconds, if we suppose it is impelled by
> gravity from the remotest distance. They are nevertheless affected by
> gravity in some manner, for I cannot find that any one was ever
> observed to ascend upwards in its course.
>
> It is true that difficulties will likewise occur, if we suppose them to
> be foreign bodies of sufficient density to preserve such great degrees
> of velocity even in passing through the atmosphere, for it may be asked
> why they do not frequently strike the earth, buildings, etc. Perhaps
> they are generally, if not always, exploded in passing through the air,
> something in the manner that filing of steel are exploded in passing
> through the flame of a candle. And at the same time that they afford
> us occasion the variety and
> Immensity of the Creator's works, they may perhaps produce some
> important and necessary effects in the atmosphere surrounding this
> globe, for the welfare of man and its other inhabitants.
>
> I am, dear sir, your very affectionate friend
> And very humble servant
> DAVID RITTENHOUSE
>
> Clearly David Rittenhouse needs to be written into the history of
> meteoritics far more than he has been. Next time I go to Rittenhouse
> square in Philadelphia and visit the Franklin Institute itwill be with
> renewed respect.
>
> Kindest wishes
> Doug
>
> PS this is one of the best witness account I've ever read
> Would anyone like to try a modern triangulation - the data is better
> than you get nowadays, that's for sure
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MexicoDoug <mexicodoug at aim.com>
> To: Meteorite-list <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Sun, Oct 23, 2011 4:08 am
> Subject: [meteorite-list] On the Father of Meteoritics (Warning -
> Original Radical Theory)
>
>
> Dear List, an account of the coming of age of Chladni which may rock
> the boat a bit:
>
> "When in the course of scientific endeavors it becomes necessary for
> one scientist to dissolve the bonds which have connected them with
> another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and
> equal station to which the God-given phenomenon of meteoritics entitle
> them, a decent dignity for one's inventions requires that they should
> declare the causes which impel them to the separation...."
>
> Such was the case for Ernst F. F. Chladni, who quite abruptly focused
> his interest in "fathering" meteoritics in the early 1790's: an
> accomplished musician and musical instrument designer with an interest
> in waves, electricity, and physics. He suddenly dedicated some time to
> a radical theory of meteoritics; the question is....What *sparked* his
> sudden and intensive, obsessive-compulsive interest? No one really
> knows, excepts, perhaps the Shadow. Read on please, for my theory
> after a discusson wih my Shadow...
>
> First we must define what exactly was on Chladni's mind during those
> years and more importantly what was his mindset? Well, he was
> recovering from a failed attempt to promote his musical instrument
> which he toured playing in hope to gain some recognition. His
> instrument never became popular. The reason was not because it was bad
> ... but rather because there was a superior instrument that displaced
> it in public events all the time. By 1790, he gave it up, and quite
> frustrated he was with his extensive efforts.
>
> Chladni's first love was music and acoustics. It is often cited that
> his interest in meteoritics was suddenly fomented by conversations with
> Georg Christoph Lichtenberg in 1791-1793. But Lichtenberg himself had
> nothing to say about it, despite making notes of the meetings and
> commenting that Chladni was working on a new musical instrument to
> supplant his previous failed one.
>
> A world away lived the bane of Chladni's existence, until his death in
> 1790: one Dr. Benjamin Franklin, American genius, and the antithesis of
> everything Chladni socially was... Franklin was the model of an
> brilliant human being, even able to have the French aristocracy eat out
> of his hand while founding the United States of America, all in his
> spare time while he pursued intellectual pursuits of everything and
> frequently made great scientific advancements with a sort of Midas'
> Touch with only a wit that could beat them. Such was the case with the
> armonica, a musical instrument that was a clever adaptation of sound
> waves produced by utilizing friction like the rubbing on a wine glass
> which allowed the simultaneous playing of nearly a dozen notes. This
> musical instrument precisely was the one that displaced Chladni's who
> otherwise might have found more success. Franklin's instrument was an
> American contribution to Europe that even the great composers wrote
> parts for as Chladni's own foundered. How frustrating it must have
> been.
>
> At heart, Dr. Franklin was truly a scientist and had managed some of
> the most truly remarkable experiments and even was credited as being
> the father of electricity after harnassing the meteorological
> phenomenon of lightning and proving exactly what it was: electricity.
> There was nothing he couldn't do and yet, he always got all the women,
> fame and power he wished.
>
> On the other hand Chladni was forced into a career he had no interest
> in doing by an overpowering father, had absolutely no luck with the
> woman and was spurned by his contemporaries when he initially tried to
> present his ideas to his peers. Bummer to be Chladni in 1790.
>
> But Franklin died in 1790. Chladni didn't waste a moment, dropping his
> failed instrument and immediately appropriated Franklin's armonica a
> step further and redesigned a new instrument in 1791 he named,
> immodestly CHLADNI'S EUPHONIUM (basically a synonym for armonica but
> addiding his name for recognition) he hoped would be superior - and
> finally, Franklin was dead and unable to wittily comment or compete.
> It was a prototype of that instrument he was playing for Lichtenberg.
>
> After all those years of playing second fiddle, it was only natural
> that Franklin's scientific triumphs were a subject of discussion; after
> all the new instrument was a direct improvement on Franklin's intended
> to supplant it at best... and victory would be as sweet as waking among
> the muses, especially for Chladni who was trained as a lawyer with all
> the benefits and vices that the practice of law breeds.
>
> One noteable subject of Franklin's successes was in meteorology, and
> especially legendary, regarding the proof that lightning bolts were
> composed of electricity. Franklin also went on record saying meteors
> were probably an electrical phenomenon as well. Well, these strange
> rocks were turning up at that time and there were murmurs that they
> came from the sky. Chladni became obsessed with making his mark (and
> in the process showing Franklin was wrong) by choosing the other light
> phenomenon - meteors - just as Franklin had chosen a phenomenon, just
> as Franklin had inspired his instrument - in hopes finally making a
> reputation for himself and perhaps a dab of revenge for all those years
> lost with his instrument due to Franklin superior design.
>
> Motive in any investigation is always sought. Need Chladni more
> motive? ;-) He released his first improved design utilizing Franklin's
> armonica concepts directly, suddenly became obsessed with with proving
> meteors were not electrical phenomena but rather rocks; immersed
> himself in the library for a couple of months in a mission (much like
> many contemporary meteorite folk we've seen battle it out on the list
> when one scoops the other on a new fall), published his book and in the
> process of his madness made the assertion that the rocks came from
> space, a true contribution; and then was immediately ridiculed and
> mocked ... his contemporaries new what he was up to and this attenuated
> the believability of his work.
>
> Then immdiatey after publishing, he dropped meteorites, never to return
> again to the field and gort to work building a new second generation
> musical instrument. Both instruments he designed and built in the
> 1790's met with success and Chladni finally could gain some respect he
> earned after a lifetime of brandishing by fire.
>
> The above theory would explain motivation and why Chladni's work in
> meteoritics was as efemeral as the meteors themselves.
>
> We should say a little more about Ben's beliefs and how they
> potentially influenced Chladni, as clearly, the American Philosophical
> Society, founded by Franklin who was the first president published a
> Journal just like the Liondon Society, and the Journal was undoubtably
> read by Chladni. The first president of the Society was Franklin, and
> he was followed by the great Astronomer Early American astronomer David
> Rittenhouse, as the second president, who predated much of Chladni's
> idea on cosmic origins and as the successor of Franklin, undoubtably
> would have been an interesting subject of study for Chladni as he
> studied those late nights in the library for that intriguingly brief
> period of time. As a matter of fact, Chladni himself said Lichtenberg
> told him to immerse himself reading Philosophical Transactions in the
> library. What were the Americans saying about meteors that might tip
> off Chladni and that Lichtenberg definitely read as well?
>
> Let me quote a passage of a post I made to the List in 2006 excerping a
> letter from Rittenhouse to Franklin, and to comment that Franklin
> likely had a friendly rivalry with Rittenhouse as to the cosmic origin
> of meteorites and predated Chladni's "original" contribution by a
> number of years:
>
> "Ben believed for a time that meteors were also caused by electricity,
> however his contemporary, the great Astronomer Early American
> astronomer David
> Rittenhouse, had other thoughts and most obviously discussed them at
> length with
> Franklin. They were both founders and officers in the American
> Philosophical
> Society - the Innovative and incomparable Academic Ivory Tower in the
> unique
> American tradition of their time responsible for adding scientific
> thought
> to the American Revolution and much beyond...Upon Franklin's death,
> Rittenhouse became the second president of the Society until his own
> death five years
> later.
>
> Eleven years before Ben's death, On "All Hallow's Eve", October 31,
> 1779,
> Rittenhouse had witnessed a 30-second bolide accompanied by sonic booms
> near
> Philadelphia, where he was the head of the University of Pennsylvania's
> Astronomy department...as the war of American Independence was still in
> Gear...
>
> Rittenhouse described the event in a letter purportedly to Franklin:
> "Leaving behind it a bright trail of light of a fine Silver Color,
> which
> continued Visible about 20 minutes, altho' but half an hour after
> Sunset, and
> then gradually disappeared, after changing from a Strait line to a very
> crooked
> one. [Meteors are] bodies altogether foreign to this Earth, but meeting
> with
> it, in its Annual Orbit, are attracted by it, and on entering our
> Atmosphere
> take fire and are exploded, something in the manner Steel filings are,
> on
> passing thro' the flame of a Candle. [It made a] glorious appearance at
> the
> distance of a few miles, yet from its prodigious Magnitude it must have
> been
> quite terrible. [Had the] Cataract fallen on the plain where on
> Philadelphia
> stands, half its inhabitants would probably been [sic] drowned."
>
> In the absence of the word "bolide", a cataract most certainly is the
> best
> word choice available to describe the phenomenon. It was brighter than
> the
> Sun, "a half hour after Sunset". "
>
> Chladni clearly couldn't make it on his own, and found it easier to But
> I could be wrong - though I don't mind championing the theory though
> there may be a few hole in it that doesnt mean it isn't a very good
> explanation ;-), I just wish I had more time to research my logical
> assertations.
>
> PS Franklin actually must have a smile in his grave now that we know
> meteors in fact are an electrical phenomenon.
>
> Kindest wishes
> Franklin's Heirs
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Received on Sun 23 Oct 2011 11:37:38 AM PDT