Abstract

PORTILLA, J. Gregorio. Caldas and the great comet of 1807. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2017, vol.41, n.159, pp.244-252. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.449.

Observations of the great comet of 1807 carried out by Francisco José de Caldas are analyzed. Starting from astronomical observations obtained by European astronomers as well as the knowledge of the orbital elements, the trajectory of the comet is calculated and then is compared with those reported by Caldas, in particular that of the 26 of september of 1807 which includes coordinates. Items such as how Caldas calculated the coordinates along with morphological description of the object is discussed. We infer the existence of some type of atmospheric phenomena which hindered, for Caldas, the ideal observation of the tail. © 2017. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat.

Keywords : Caldas, F. J.; Comet; Great comet of 1807.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )