History records that an Italian scientist named Galileo was the first person to map the moon.
However, in 1609 an Englishman called Thomas Harriot actually drew maps of the moon BEFORE Galileo did.
So the history of science will have to be re-written to show that Harriot was the first person to map the moon.
The maps still exist and belong to Lord Egremont who lives in Petworth House in Sussex, and they have been dubbed the "birth of modern cartography."
The 17th-century drawings which prove a humble Englishman mapped the moon BEFORE Galileo
By Daily Mail Reporter
14th January 2009
Daily Mail
Experts believe the 'moon maps' made by Englishman Thomas Harriot, pictured, were drawn using a telescope before Galileo performed the same feat
Drawings of the moon made 400 years ago by a little-known English cartographer are to go on display to mark the International Year of Astronomy.
Experts believe the 17th century 'moon maps' by Thomas Harriot were drawn using a telescope before Galileo, the famous Italian scientist, performed the same feat.
It is believed that Galileo's skill at 'spin' has helped him be the one remembered as opposed to Harriot.
One of his drawings is dated July 26, 1609, six months prior to Galileo's well-documented achievement in December 1609.
Dr Allan Chapman, a science historian at Oxford University, told the BBC that Harriot's composite drawing of the Moon marked 'the birth of modern cartography'.
'Thomas Harriot was not only the first person ever to draw an astronomical body with a telescope on 26 July, 1609, he rapidly developed to become an absolutely superb lunar cartographer,' he said.
'There weren't equivalent lunar drawings to be done for another 30 years.
'Tragically, no-one knew of it until relatively recent times, so Galileo gets all the credit.'
He added that Harriot was wealthy with no desire for fame and fortune.
'He was comfortably off and had two friends in the Tower of London for political crimes and had no wish to raise his profile,' Dr Chapman told BBC News.
'Galileo in Italy on the other hand was relatively hard-up, mid-40s and wanted fame and distinction. Galileo goes for publication. Harriot stays nice and quiet; and it wasn't until modern times that Harriott's achievements get noticed.'
The lunar drawings by Harriot will form part of an exhibition at West Sussex Record Office in Chichester in July.
Composite of the 'Moon maps' drawn by Harriot and issued by West Sussex Record Office
The date (July 26th 1609)which makes it clear Harriot drew the moon with a telescope before Galileo
Alison McCann, assistant county archivist, said: 'Crucially one of his maps is dated, which proves Harriot pre-dated Galileo, who has always been thought to have done the first observation of the moon through a telescope.
'Galileo was very good at self-publicity but Harriot wasn't interested. He didn't publicise his work and this is why few have heard of him.'
The exhibition will contain Harriot's lunar observations, depicting all the moon's features, including its craters and seas.
Other items on display will incorporate Harriot's original drawings of Jupiter's satellites, sun spots and Halley's Comet.
Mrs McCann added: 'I hope the exhibition will raise his profile so he receives due credit for being one of the finest scientists of the early 17th century.'
The drawings belong to Lord Egremont of Petworth House in West Sussex and are looked after by the West Sussex Record Office on his behalf.
Lord Egremont is a descendant of the Earl of Northumberland who first employed Thomas Harriot.
An early telescope of the type which may have been used by Harriot
Harriot's original moon map will on display in an international exhibition on Galileo this summer in Florence, Italy.
A further exhibition will take place at the Science Museum in London called Cosmos and Culture from July 23 to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.
After graduating from Oxford in 1580, Harriot was hired by Sir Walter Raleigh as a maths tutor who used his knowledge of astronomy to provide navigational expertise.
Harriot made only one expedition to America and while there learnt the Native American language of Algonquian. His 'Report' published in 1588 proved influential for later colonists.
It was the parts of the report which referred to extractable minerals which drew most attention as opposed to his views of the Native Americans' capacity for industry and learning.
It was Halley's Comet in 1607 which turned his attention to astronomy.
dailymail.co.uk
However, in 1609 an Englishman called Thomas Harriot actually drew maps of the moon BEFORE Galileo did.
So the history of science will have to be re-written to show that Harriot was the first person to map the moon.
The maps still exist and belong to Lord Egremont who lives in Petworth House in Sussex, and they have been dubbed the "birth of modern cartography."
The 17th-century drawings which prove a humble Englishman mapped the moon BEFORE Galileo
By Daily Mail Reporter
14th January 2009
Daily Mail
Experts believe the 'moon maps' made by Englishman Thomas Harriot, pictured, were drawn using a telescope before Galileo performed the same feat
Drawings of the moon made 400 years ago by a little-known English cartographer are to go on display to mark the International Year of Astronomy.
Experts believe the 17th century 'moon maps' by Thomas Harriot were drawn using a telescope before Galileo, the famous Italian scientist, performed the same feat.
It is believed that Galileo's skill at 'spin' has helped him be the one remembered as opposed to Harriot.
One of his drawings is dated July 26, 1609, six months prior to Galileo's well-documented achievement in December 1609.
Dr Allan Chapman, a science historian at Oxford University, told the BBC that Harriot's composite drawing of the Moon marked 'the birth of modern cartography'.
'Thomas Harriot was not only the first person ever to draw an astronomical body with a telescope on 26 July, 1609, he rapidly developed to become an absolutely superb lunar cartographer,' he said.
'There weren't equivalent lunar drawings to be done for another 30 years.
'Tragically, no-one knew of it until relatively recent times, so Galileo gets all the credit.'
He added that Harriot was wealthy with no desire for fame and fortune.
'He was comfortably off and had two friends in the Tower of London for political crimes and had no wish to raise his profile,' Dr Chapman told BBC News.
'Galileo in Italy on the other hand was relatively hard-up, mid-40s and wanted fame and distinction. Galileo goes for publication. Harriot stays nice and quiet; and it wasn't until modern times that Harriott's achievements get noticed.'
The lunar drawings by Harriot will form part of an exhibition at West Sussex Record Office in Chichester in July.
Composite of the 'Moon maps' drawn by Harriot and issued by West Sussex Record Office
The date (July 26th 1609)which makes it clear Harriot drew the moon with a telescope before Galileo
Alison McCann, assistant county archivist, said: 'Crucially one of his maps is dated, which proves Harriot pre-dated Galileo, who has always been thought to have done the first observation of the moon through a telescope.
'Galileo was very good at self-publicity but Harriot wasn't interested. He didn't publicise his work and this is why few have heard of him.'
The exhibition will contain Harriot's lunar observations, depicting all the moon's features, including its craters and seas.
Other items on display will incorporate Harriot's original drawings of Jupiter's satellites, sun spots and Halley's Comet.
Mrs McCann added: 'I hope the exhibition will raise his profile so he receives due credit for being one of the finest scientists of the early 17th century.'
The drawings belong to Lord Egremont of Petworth House in West Sussex and are looked after by the West Sussex Record Office on his behalf.
Lord Egremont is a descendant of the Earl of Northumberland who first employed Thomas Harriot.
An early telescope of the type which may have been used by Harriot
Harriot's original moon map will on display in an international exhibition on Galileo this summer in Florence, Italy.
A further exhibition will take place at the Science Museum in London called Cosmos and Culture from July 23 to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.
After graduating from Oxford in 1580, Harriot was hired by Sir Walter Raleigh as a maths tutor who used his knowledge of astronomy to provide navigational expertise.
Harriot made only one expedition to America and while there learnt the Native American language of Algonquian. His 'Report' published in 1588 proved influential for later colonists.
It was the parts of the report which referred to extractable minerals which drew most attention as opposed to his views of the Native Americans' capacity for industry and learning.
It was Halley's Comet in 1607 which turned his attention to astronomy.
dailymail.co.uk
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