169
Thus, Secchi’s isobaric charts served as a model for Le Verrier’s international storm
warning Exchange. With the help of isobar maps, appropriately annotated with
arrows indicating the wind direction, Secchi was able to extrapolate the main directions of motion for different identified storms, mainly of cyclonic nature. In particular, a barometric depression on Scotland or Ireland did not bode well for Rome and
neighboring regions, as, within 2 or 3 days, they would be hit with severe weather,
especially at sea (Secchi 1858).
9.6 Dissemination and Publication of Meteorological
Research Findings
An important aspect of Angelo Secchi’s work was the scientific dissemination of his
research in meteorology and atmospheric sciences. His vast bibliographic production – readings, speeches, pamphlets, memoirs, monographs, notes, and articles – is
truly amazing. Extraordinary was his ability to communicate new theories with
strictly scientific language yet at the same time in a simple and accessible way, in
order to reach the general public. Secchi was a great popularizer. His goal was
always to bring the reader closer to the science.
As soon as he became the director of the Collegio Romano Observatory, he
resumed publishing the Memoirs of this “Specula” and, in addition to the results of
astronomical observations, summarized the weather data recorded therein from the
time of the Jesuit exile (Memorie, 1850–1863).
In 1862, Secchi began to publish a “Meteorological Bulletin of the Collegio
Romano Observatory” (Bullettino, 1862–1879), which represented the principle
medium for a systematic dissemination of observations and research in the fields of
astronomy, meteorology, solar and terrestrial physics, and geomagnetism, carried
out both in this Observatory and in many other ones that were in contact with the
well-known Jesuit. In each issue of the Bulletin, including the last one published
posthumously in 1879, an overview of meteorological measurements taken at the
Collegio Romano was published, completed by brief notes on the weather and terrestrial magnetism.
These scientific and popularizing activities continued unabated at the Collegio
Romano Observatory even at the most difficult moments in the history of the Papal
States… so much so that, on September 20, 1870, while the Italian army was striking at the heart of the Papal States, it continued to operate without interruption.
Father Secchi could not refrain from being a witness of what was happening in
Rome that day, and so he added some very colorful historical information to the
due o tre giorni ad arrivarvi: ma se essa erasi presentata più alta or più bassa, Roma non sentiva che
gli effetti indiretti dei suoi contorni. Questi risultati forse contribuirono a fare che simili carte
venissero poscia fatte costruire sistematicamente e pubblicate a Parigi dal Leverrier, che con quei
mezzi che possiede una ricca nazione poté diffonderle, donde nacque la teoria de’ preavvisi delle
burrasche come ora si usa.
9 Angelo Secchi and Meteorology in Italy
Thus, Secchi’s isobaric charts served as a model for Le Verrier’s international storm
warning Exchange. With the help of isobar maps, appropriately annotated with
arrows indicating the wind direction, Secchi was able to extrapolate the main directions of motion for different identified storms, mainly of cyclonic nature. In particular, a barometric depression on Scotland or Ireland did not bode well for Rome and
neighboring regions, as, within 2 or 3 days, they would be hit with severe weather,
especially at sea (Secchi 1858).
9.6 Dissemination and Publication of Meteorological
Research Findings
An important aspect of Angelo Secchi’s work was the scientific dissemination of his
research in meteorology and atmospheric sciences. His vast bibliographic production – readings, speeches, pamphlets, memoirs, monographs, notes, and articles – is
truly amazing. Extraordinary was his ability to communicate new theories with
strictly scientific language yet at the same time in a simple and accessible way, in
order to reach the general public. Secchi was a great popularizer. His goal was
always to bring the reader closer to the science.
As soon as he became the director of the Collegio Romano Observatory, he
resumed publishing the Memoirs of this “Specula” and, in addition to the results of
astronomical observations, summarized the weather data recorded therein from the
time of the Jesuit exile (Memorie, 1850–1863).
In 1862, Secchi began to publish a “Meteorological Bulletin of the Collegio
Romano Observatory” (Bullettino, 1862–1879), which represented the principle
medium for a systematic dissemination of observations and research in the fields of
astronomy, meteorology, solar and terrestrial physics, and geomagnetism, carried
out both in this Observatory and in many other ones that were in contact with the
well-known Jesuit. In each issue of the Bulletin, including the last one published
posthumously in 1879, an overview of meteorological measurements taken at the
Collegio Romano was published, completed by brief notes on the weather and terrestrial magnetism.
These scientific and popularizing activities continued unabated at the Collegio
Romano Observatory even at the most difficult moments in the history of the Papal
States… so much so that, on September 20, 1870, while the Italian army was striking at the heart of the Papal States, it continued to operate without interruption.
Father Secchi could not refrain from being a witness of what was happening in
Rome that day, and so he added some very colorful historical information to the
due o tre giorni ad arrivarvi: ma se essa erasi presentata più alta or più bassa, Roma non sentiva che
gli effetti indiretti dei suoi contorni. Questi risultati forse contribuirono a fare che simili carte
venissero poscia fatte costruire sistematicamente e pubblicate a Parigi dal Leverrier, che con quei
mezzi che possiede una ricca nazione poté diffonderle, donde nacque la teoria de’ preavvisi delle
burrasche come ora si usa.
9 Angelo Secchi and Meteorology in Italy