The quest for longitude symbolizes the birth of science at the service of society, where technical innovation becomes the engine of political and economic power.
Lecture by Eric Jean-Bart, in partnership with "Faites de la Science en Val d?Amboise".
The quest for longitude was the "Grand Prix" of an era when domination of the weather and the stars was a sine qua non for naval supremacy and control of the world?s wealth.
For centuries, determining latitude at sea was relatively simple, thanks to the position of the Sun or the North Star. Finding longitude, on the other hand, represented a major challenge for navigators, as it required precise knowledge of the time at a reference point while at sea. This difficulty led to numerous maritime disasters, and in the 18th century, the problem became a scientific and political priority.
June 26, 2026 at 8:30pm
5 per person
Reservations required.
