Cassini’s map of the Moon
It is certainly Jean-Dominique Cassini’s map, in 1679, which is a breakthrough in the representation of lunar topography for its realism. Benefiting high quality observations from the tubeless telescope, the map has a finesse in details and a quality of execution.
Jean-Dominique Cassini, Jean Patigny, Carte de la Lune de Jean-Dominique Cassini, 1679.
The map was engraved based on a number of drawings made by Cassini and his two assistants, Sébastien Leclerc (1637-1714) and Jean Patigny (16?-16?). It was finally presented to the Académie des sciences, on February 12th 1679.
Dessins originaux des taches de la Lune, d'après les observations de J.-D. Cassini, 1671-1679.
Published in low number; it will not be able to compete with Hevelius’ and Riccioli’s map. The absence of a nomenclature explains one of the reason of its poor reception.
The map is recognizable for two main reasons in relation to its characteristics. The Promontorium Heraclides shows a feminine figure. Some theories, states that it is no other than Jean-Dominique Cassini’s wife: Geneviève de Laistre, with whom he married in 1673. The first detail is certainly in relation to the second: as you follow the feminine figure’s eyesight, you can discover a heart in the middle of a sea (Mer de la Sérénité).
Feminine face. Detail from the map.
Heart. Detail from the map.
Poorly published, Cassini’s map has somehow benefited of being included in a number of books in astronomy, such as the Institutions astronomiques, translated by Pierre-Charles Le Monnier (1715-1799) from John Keill (1671-1721).
Pierre-Charles Le Monnier, Institutions astronomiques, 1746.