EULER, LEONHARD. - EULER'S SECOND LUNAR THEORY AND THE PROBLEM OF THREE BODIES.

Nouvelle Méthode de Déterminer les Dérangemens dans le Mouvement des Corps Célestes, Causés par leur Action mutuelle. (New Method to determine the pertubations during the motion of heavenly bodies caused by their mutual attraction) - Réflexions sur les diverses Manieres dont on peut représenter le Mouvement de la Lune. (Reflexions on the different ways that one can describe the movement of the Moon). - Considerations sur la Probleme des Trois Corps. (Tghoughts on the three body problem). - Nouvelle Maniere de comparerles Observations de la Lune avec la Theorie. (A newway to compare the observations of the moon with the theory.). (4 Memoirs).

(Berlin, Haude et Spener, 1769). 4to. No wrappers, as issued in "Mémoires de l'Academie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres", tome XIX,. (2 =halftitle Mémoires..),141-220. 1.memoir pp. 141-179 a. 1 enraved plate. - 2. pp. 180-193. - 3. pp. 194-220. - 4. pp. 221-234 a. 1 plate.

First printing of these 4 fundamental papers on the perturbations of the moon, as Euler was the first to use of the Calculus on the motion of the moon in relation to the attractive powers of the Moon, the Earth and the Sun. The theories laid down here is also called Euler's second theory and it is the most interesting. It was of the greatest importtence as a basis for later developments.
"He applied his mathematics to astronomy, working out the nature of some perturbations, being in this respect the precursor of Lagrange and Laplace. He began to replace the geometric methods of proof used by Galileo and Newton with the algebraic, a tendency carried to its conclusion by Lagrange. In particular he worked on lunar theory, that is, on the analysis of the exact motion of the moon, the complications of which have been the despair of astronomers and mathematicians since the time of Kepler. - Eneström: 398, 399, 400 a. 401.

Order-nr.: 41682