Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On the history of the statistical method in astronomy

  • Published:
Archive for History of Exact Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

AHES :

Arch. Hist. Exact Sci.

AN :

Astron. Nachr.

MNRAS :

Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc.

Phil. Mag. :

Lond., Edinb., Dublin Philos. Mag.

References

  1. On the parallax of the fixed stars Scient. Papers (1782). Vol. 1, 39–57.

    Google Scholar 

  2. On the proper motion of the Sun etc. Scient. Papers (1783). 1, 108–130.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Account of some observations etc. Scient Papers (1784). Vol. 1, 157–166.

    Google Scholar 

  4. On the construction of the heavens Scient Papers (1785). Vol. 1, 223–259.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Catalogue of one thousand new nebulae etc. Scient Papers (1786). Vol. 1, 260–303.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Catalogue of a second thousand of new nebulae etc. Scient Papers (1789). Vol. 1, 329–369.

    Google Scholar 

  7. On the power of penetrating into space by telescopes Scient Papers (1800). Vol. 2, 31–52.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Observations tending to investigate the nature of the Sun, etc. Scient Papers (1801). Vol. 2, 147–180.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Catalogue of 500 new nebulae, etc. Scient Papers (1802). Vol. 2, 199–237.

    Google Scholar 

  10. On the direction and motion of the Sun etc. Scient Papers (1805). Vol. 2, 317–331.

    Google Scholar 

  11. On the quantity and velocity of the solar motion Scient Papers (1806). Vol. 2, 338–359.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Astronomical observations and experiments tending to investigate the local arrangement of celestial bodies in space etc. Scient Papers (1817). Vol. 2, 575–591.

    Google Scholar 

  13. J. C. Kapteyn Over de verdeeling van de sterren in de ruimte. Versl. Zitt. Wiss. Natuurkund. Afd. Akad. Wetenschappen Amsterdam 1892–1893 (1893), 125–140.

  14. J. C. Kapteyn Skew frequency curves in biology and statistics. Groningen, 1904. Second ed. in coauthorship with M. J. Van Uven (1916).

  15. Statistical methods in stellar astronomy. [Repts] Intern. congr. arts and sci. St Louis-Boston, 1904, N.p., 1906, vol. 4, 396–425.

    Google Scholar 

  16. J. C. Kapteyn Plan of selected areas. Groningen, 1906.

  17. Reply to Prof. Pearson's criticisms. Rec. trav. botaniques Néerl., vol. 2, 1906, 216–222.

    Google Scholar 

  18. J. C. Kapteyn Recent researches in the structure of the universe. Annual rept. Smithsonian instn. for 1908 (1909), 301–319.

  19. Definition of the correlation-coefficient. MNRAS, vol. 72, No. 6, 1912, 518–525.

    Google Scholar 

  20. First attempt at a theory of the arrangement and motion of the sidereal system. Astrophys. j., vol. 55, 1922, 302–328.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Notes on the theory of probability. Math. Monthly, vol. 1, 1859, 136–139, 233–235, 331–335; vol. 2, 1860, 134–140, 272–275; vol. 3, 1861, 68, 119–125, 361–349.

    Google Scholar 

  22. [Abstract of a] paper on the secular variations and mutual relations of the orbits of the asteroids. Proc. Amer. acad. arts sci., vol. 4, 1857–1860 (1860), 417–418.

    Google Scholar 

  23. [Discussion of the principles of probability theory]. Ibidem 433–440.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Solution of problem. Math. monthly, vol. 3, 1861, 68–69.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Modern theoretical astronomy. N. Amer. Rev., vol. 93, 1861, 367–390. (Publ. anonymously.)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Determination of the law of distribution of the nodes and perihelia of the small planets. AN, Bd. 58, No. 1382, 1862, 200–220.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Comparison of the actual and probable distribution in longitude of the modes and perihelia of 105 small planets. Ibidem, Bd. 73, 1869, 287.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Note on the frequency of use of the different digits in natural numbers. Amer. J. Math., vol. 4, 1881, 39–40.

    Google Scholar 

  29. A generalized theory of the combination of observations, etc. Ibidem, vol. 8, 1886, 343–366.

    Google Scholar 

  30. On the solar motion as a gauge of stellar distributions. Astron. J., vol. 17, No. 6 (390), 1896, 41–44.

    Google Scholar 

  31. On the distribution of the mean motions of the minor planets. Ibidem, vol. 20, No. 21 (477), 1900, 165–166.

    Google Scholar 

  32. . On the statistical relations among the parallaxes and the proper motions of the stars. Ibidem, vol. 22, No. 21 (525), 1902, 165–169.

    Google Scholar 

  33. S. Newcomb The Universe as an organism (1902). In author's Sidelights on astronomy. New York-London, 1906, 300–311.

  34. S. Newcomb On the position of the Galactic etc. Carnegie Instn. of Wash., Publ. No. 10, 1904.

  35. S. Newcomb Statistical inquiry into the probability of causes of the production of sex, etc. Washington, 1904.

  36. Preliminary paper on certain drifting motions of the stars. Proc. Roy. Soc., vol 18, No. 116, 1869, 169–171. Also in Phil. Mag., vol. 39, No. 262, 1870, 381–383.

    Google Scholar 

  37. The laws according to which the stars ... are distributed over the heavens. MNRAS, vol. 31, No. 1, 1971, 29–32.

    Google Scholar 

  38. On star-grouping, etc. Proc. Roy. Instn. Gr.Brit., vol. 6, 1872, 143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Further notes on star-gauging, etc. MNRAS, vol. 33, No. 9, 1873, 535–536.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Statement of views respecting the sidereal universe. Ibidem,, vol. 33, No. 9, 1873, 539–552.

    Google Scholar 

  41. R. A. Proctor The Universe, etc. London, 1874.

  42. R. A. Proctor Familiar science studies. London, 1882. This is a reprint of popular articles.

  43. F. G. W. Struve Catalogus novus. Dorpati, 1827.

  44. F. G. W. Struve Über Doppelsterne, etc. St. Petersburg, 1837.

  45. Über die eigne Bewegung des Sonnensystems, etc. von F. Argelander. Bull. scient. Acad. imp. sci. Petrop., t. 2, 1837, 113–123, 129 –137.

    Google Scholar 

  46. F. G. W. Struve On the motion of double stars, etc. In: H. Shapley & H. E. Howarth, A sourcebook in astronomy. New York-London, 1929, 212–215. From Stellarum duplicium, etc. Petropoli, 1837, p. cxxi.

  47. Review of O. Struve's forthcoming publication [153]. Bull. scient. Acad. imp. sci. St.-Pétersb., t. 10, No. 9 (225), 1842, 129–139.

    Google Scholar 

  48. F. G. W. Struve Praefatio editoris to M. Weisse, Positiones mediae stellarum fixarum, etc. Petersburg, 1846.

  49. F. G. W. Struve Études d'astronomie stellaire, etc. St.-Pétersbourg, 1847. Russ. transl.: Leningrad, 1953.

  50. F. G. W. Struve Stellarum fixarum ... positiones mediae, etc. Petersburg, 1852.

  51. Airy, G. B., On the movement of the Solar system etc. Mem. Roy. Astron. Soc., vol. 28, 1860, 143–171.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Anger, C. T., Grundzüge der neueren astronomischen Beobachtungs-Kunst. Danzig, 1847.

  53. Archibald, R. C., S. Newcomb, Bibliography, etc. Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. 17, 1924, 19–69.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Argelander, F., Über die eigene Bewegung des Sonnensystems. Mém. présentés à l'Acad. imp. sci. St.-Pétersb. par divers savans (Mém. savans étrangers), t. 3, No. 5–6, 1837, 501–605. Also in AN, Bd. 16, No. 363–364, 1839, 43–55 and Bd. 17, No. 398, 1840, 209–215.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Bell, Julia, Note on spectral class and stellar colours. MNRAS, vol. 69, No. 2, 1908, 108–109.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Bell, Julia, Note on Mr Franks' analysis of the colours and magnitudes of 3630 stars, etc. Ibidem, vol 69, No. 5, 1909, 420–421.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Bertrand, J., Calcul des probabilités (1888). New York, 1972.

  58. Blanford, H. F., On the barometric see-saw, etc. Nature, vol. 21, 1880, 477–482.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Bode, J. E., Anleitung zur Kenntniss des gestirnten Himmels. Berlin-Leipzig, 1778.

  60. Bode, J. E., Erläuterung der Sternkunde, etc., Tl. 1 (1778), Berlin, 1808.

  61. Bode, J. E., Considérations générales sur la situation et la distribution des orbites de toutes les planètes et comètes etc. Mém. Acad. roy. sci. et belles-lettres Berlin, Cl. philos.-expér., 1786–1787 (1792), 341–362.

  62. Boole, G., On the theory of probabilities [!] and in particular on Michell's problem etc. (1851). In Boole's Studies in logic and probability. London, 1952, 247–259.

  63. Borel, É., Le hasard. Paris, 1914.

  64. Bouniakovsky, V. Ya., Elements of the mathematical theory of probability. Petersburg, 1846. (In Russian.)

  65. Bravais, A., Analyse mathématique des probabilités etc. Mém. présentés par divers savants à l'Acad. roy. sci. Inst. France, sci. math. et phys., t. 2, 1846, 255–332.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Bray, R., & R. Loughhead, Sunspots. London, 1964.

  67. Chambers, F., Sun-spots and prices of Indian food-grains. Nature, vol. 34, 1886, 100–104.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Clerke, Agnes M., Popular history of astronomy, etc. London, 1893. Preface to first ed. dated 1885.

  69. Clerke, Agnes M., The system of the stars. London, 1890.

  70. Cournot, A. A., Exposition de la théorie des chances et des probabilités. Paris, 1843.

  71. De Sitter, W., Kosmos. Cambridge (Mass.), 1932.

  72. Easton, C., Sur la distribution apparente des étoiles, etc. AN, Bd. 137, No. 3270, 1895, 81–90.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Encke, J. F., Über die Études ... [49]. AN, Bd. 26, No. 622, 1848, 337–350.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Erpilev, N. P., The development of stellar astronomy in the 19th century in Russia. Istoriko-astron. issled., vol. 4, 1958, 13–249. (In Russian.)

    Google Scholar 

  75. Faye, [H. A. E.], Météorologie cosmique. —Sur les Astronomische Mittheilungen du Dr R. Wolf. C. r. Acad. Sci. Paris, t. 77, 1873, 853–855.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Faye, [H. A. E.], Taches du Soleil et mágnetisme. Ibidem, t. 86, 1878, 909–916.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Faye, [H. A. E.], Sur un récent mémoire de M. R. Wolf. Ibidem, t. 95, 1882, 1245–1250.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Fedorenko, J., Über die eigene Bewegung der Fixsterne. AN, Bd. 45, No. 1062, 1857, 81–86.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Fedorenko, J., Aus einem Schreiben ... an den Herausgeber. Ibidem, Bd. 48, No. 1135, 1858, 107–108.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Fedorenko, I. I. [= J.], Determination of mean proper motions ... of stars. Petersburg, 1865. (In Russian.)

  81. Fischer, R. A., Statistical methods and scientific inference. Edinburgh-London, 1956.

  82. Forbes, J. D., On the alleged evidence for a physical connection between stars, etc. Phil. Mag., vol. 35, 1849, 132–133.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Forbes, J. D., Same title Ibidem, vol. 37, 1850, 401–427.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Gauss, C. F., Letter to von Zach (1802). Werke, Bd. 6, Göttingen, 1874, 230–231.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Gauss, C. F., Theoria motus ... (1809). German transl. in Abh. zur Methode der kleinsten Quadrate. Hrsg., A. Börsch & P. Simon. Berlin, 1887, 92–117.

  86. Gauss, C. F., Theoria combinationis ... (1823). German transl.: Ibidem, 1–53.

  87. Gauss, C. F., Supplementum theoriae combinationis ... (1828). German transl.: Ibidem, 54–91.

  88. Gauss, C. F., Supplementum ... [87]. Selbstanzeige (1826). Werke, Bd. 4. GÖttingen, 1880, 104–108.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Gauss, C. F., & H. C. Schumacher, Briefwechsel, Bd. 5. Altona, 1863.

  90. Gibson, Winifred, Some considerations regarding the number of the stars. MNRAS, vol. 66, 1906, 445–468.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Gibson, Winifred, & K. Pearson, Further considerations on the correlations of stellar characters. Ibidem, vol. 68, 1908, 415–448.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Gussew, M., Beitrag zur Untersuchung der eigenen Bewegung der Fixsterne. AN, Bd. 45, No. 1068, 1857, 177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Hardin, C. L., The scientific work of ... Michell. Annals sci., vol. 22, No. 1, 1966, 27–47.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Harter, H. L., Chronological annotated bibliography on order statistics, vol. 1. N.p., 1978.

  95. Herschel, J. F. W., Results of astronomical observations, etc. London, 1847.

  96. Herschel, J. F. W., Outlines of astronomy. London, 1850.

  97. Hill, D., & W. L. Elkin, Heliometer-determinations of stellar parallax, etc. Mem. Roy. Astron. Soc., vol. 48, pt. 1, 1884 (the whole issue).

  98. Hoskin, M. A., W. Herschel. New York, 1959.

  99. Humboldt, A., Kosmos, Bd. 3. Stuttgart-Augsburg, 1850. Russian transl. of pt. 2 of this volume by M. M. Gusev: Moscow, 1857.

  100. Idel'son, N. I., Method of least squares, etc. Moscow, 1947. (In Russian.)

  101. Kleiber, J., On “random scattering” of points on a surface. Phil. Mag., vol. 24, No. 150, 1887, 439–445.

    Google Scholar 

  102. Kleiber, J., Über die Zahl der Sterne mit messbaren Parallaxen. AN, Bd. 124, No. 2955, 1890, 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  103. Kruskal, W., Formulas, numbers, words: statistics in prose (1978). In: New directions for methodology of social and behavioral science: Problems with language imprecision, No. 9. Ed., D. Fiske. San Francisco, 1981, 93–102.

  104. fnLancaster, H. O., Development of the notion of statistical dependence (1972). Stud. Hist. Stat. and Probability, vol. 2. Eds. M. G. Kendall & R. L. Plackett. London, 1977, 293-308.

  105. Laplace, P. S., Théorie analytique des probabilités (1812). Oeuvr. compl., t. 7, No. 1–2. Paris, 1886. Being an introduction to this work, the Essai philosophique sur les probabilités (1814) is in No. 1 of the volume.

  106. Littrow, J. J., Sonnenflecken. Gehler's Phys. Wörterb., Bd. 8. Leipzig, 1836, 851–865.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Lockyer, J. N., The meteorology of the future. Nature, vol. 7, 1873, 98–101.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Maevsky, N., Exposition of the method of least squares. Petersburg, 1881. (In Russian.)

  109. Markov, A. A., The law of large numbers and the method of least squares (1898). Sel. works. Leningrad, 1951, 232–251. (In Russian.)

  110. [Markov, A. A., & A. A. Chuprov], On the theory of probability and mathematical statistics. Ed., Kh. O. Ondar. Moscow, 1977. (In Russian.)

  111. Meadows, A. J., A hundred years of controversy over sunspots and weather. Nature, vol. 256, 1975, 95–97.

    Google Scholar 

  112. Meldrum, C., On a periodicity in the frequency of cyclones, etc. Nature, vol. 6, 1872, 357–358.

    Google Scholar 

  113. Meldrum, C., On cyclone and rainfall periodicities in connection with the sunspot periodicity. Rept. 44th Meeting Brit. Assoc. Advancement Sci. 1874 (1875), 218–240.

  114. Michell, J., An inquiry into the probable parallax and magnitude of the fixed stars, etc. (1767). Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc. Abridged, vol. 12, 1809, 423–438.

    Google Scholar 

  115. Michell, J., On the means of discovering the distance ...; of the fixed stars, etc. (1767). Ibidem 465–477.

    Google Scholar 

  116. Nieto, M. M., The Titius-Bode law etc. Oxford, 1972.

  117. Orlov, B. A., V. Ya. Struve [= F. G. W. Struve]. In Russian ed. of Struves' Études [49, pp. 171–208].

  118. Paul, E. R., Seeliger, Kapteyn and stellar statistics. Thesis, Indiana Univ., 1976 (unavailable).

  119. Pearson, K., On the dissection of assymetrical frequency curves. Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc., vol. A 185, 1894, 71–110.

    Google Scholar 

  120. Pearson, K., “Das Fehlergesetz und seine Verallgemeinerungen etc.” A rejoinder. Biometrika, vol. 4, No. 1–2, 1905, 169–212.

    Google Scholar 

  121. Pearson, K., On correlation and the methods of modern statistics. Nature, vol. 76, 1907, 517–518, 613–615, 662.

    Google Scholar 

  122. Pearson, K., On the improbability of a random distribution of stars in space. Proc. Roy. Soc., vol. A 84, 1910, 47–70.

    Google Scholar 

  123. Pearson, K., Notes on the history of correlation. (Biometrika, 1920). Stud. Hist. Stat. and Probability, vol. 1. Eds. E. S. Pearson & M. G. Kendall. London, 1970, 185–205.

  124. Pearson, K., & Julia Bell, On the mass-determination of parallaxes. MNRAS, vol. 70, No. 7, 1910, 532–538.

    Google Scholar 

  125. Peirce, C. S., On the theory of errors of observations this being Appendix 21 (pp. 200–224) to B. Peirce's Report of the Superintendent, US Coast Survey for 1870 (1873).

  126. Peters, C. A. F., Über Prof. Mädler's Untersuchungen etc. Bull. Cl. phys.-math. Acad. imp. sci. St.-Pétersb., t. 7, No. 12–13 (156–157), 1849, 180–202.

    Google Scholar 

  127. Peters, C. A. F.. Recherches sur la parallaxe des étoiles fixes. Mém. Acad. imp. sci. St.-Pétersb., sixième sér., sci. math. phys. t. 5 this being sci. math., phys. et natur. t. 7, 1853, 1–180.

  128. Plummer, H. C., On correlation and the characters of variable stars etc. MNRAS, vol. 69, No. 5, 1909, 348–354.

    Google Scholar 

  129. Plummer, H. C., Same title. Ibidem, vol. 70, No. 1, 1909, 4–12.

    Google Scholar 

  130. Poincaré, H., Calcul des probabilités (1896). Paris, 1912.

  131. Poincaré, H., La science et l'hypothèse (1902). Paris, 1923.

  132. Poincaré, H., Réflexions sur la théorie cinétique des gaz (1906). Oeuvr., t. 9, Paris, 1954, 587–619.

    Google Scholar 

  133. Rabinovitch, N. L., Probability and statistical inference in ancient and medieval Jewish literature. Toronto, 1973.

  134. Sabine, E., On periodical laws, etc., pt. 2. Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc., 1852, pt 1, 103–124.

  135. Schouten, W. J. A., On the determination of the principal laws of statistical astronomy. Amsterdam, 1918.

  136. Schwabe, H., Über die Flecken der Sonne. AN, Bd. 15, No. 350, 1838, 243–248.

    Google Scholar 

  137. Schwabe, H., Die Sonne. Ibidem, Bd. 20, No. 473, 1843, 283–286.

    Google Scholar 

  138. Schwabe, H., Sonnen-Beobachtungen in Jahre1843. Ibidem, Bd. 21, No. 495, 1844, 233–236.

    Google Scholar 

  139. Sheynin, O. B., Newton and the classical theory of probability. AHES, vol. 7, No. 3, 1971, 217–243.

    Google Scholar 

  140. Sheynin, O. B., J. H. Lambert's work on probability. Ibidem, vol. 7, No. 3, 1971, 244–256.

    Google Scholar 

  141. Sheynin, O. B., On the history of some statistical laws of distribution. (Biometrika, 1971). Stud. Hist. Stat. and Probability, vol. 2, 328–330.

    Google Scholar 

  142. Sheynin, O. B., D. Bernoulli's work on probability. (1972). Ibidem, 105–132.

    Google Scholar 

  143. Sheynin, O. B., Finite random sums, etc. AHES, vol. 9, No. 4/5, 1973, 275–305.

    Google Scholar 

  144. Sheynin, O. B., R. J. Boscovich's work on probability. Ibidem, vol. 9, No. 4/5, 1973, 306–324.

    Google Scholar 

  145. Sheynin, O. B., Mathematical treatment of astronomical observations etc. Ibidem, vol. 11, No. 2/3, 1973, 97–126.

    Google Scholar 

  146. Sheynin, O. B., On the prehistory of the theory of probability. Ibidem, vol. 12, No. 2, 1974, 97–141.

    Google Scholar 

  147. Sheynin, O. B., P. S. Laplace's work on probability. Ibidem, vol. 16, No. 2, 1976, 137–187.

    Google Scholar 

  148. Sheynin, O. B., Laplace's theory of errors. Ibidem, vol. 17, No. 1, 1977, 1–61.

    Google Scholar 

  149. Sheynin, O. B., C. F. Gauss and the theory of errors. Ibidem, vol. 20, No. 1, 1979, 21–72.

    Google Scholar 

  150. Sheynin, O. B., On the history of the statistical method in biology. Ibidem, vol. 22, 1980, 323–371.

    Google Scholar 

  151. Sheynin, O. B., On the history of medical statistics. Ibidem, vol. 26, No. 3, 1982.

  152. Spoerer, Beobachtungen von Sonnenflecken, etc. AN, Bd. 55, No. 1315, 1861, 289–298.

    Google Scholar 

  153. Struve, O., Bestimmung der Constante der Praecession. Petersburg, 1842.

  154. Struve, O., Same title. Mém. Acad. imp. sci. St.-Pétersb., sixième sér., sci. math., phys. et natur., t. 5 this being sci. math. et phys., t. 3, 1844, 17–124.

  155. Todhunter, I., History of the mathematical theory of probability (1865). New York, 1965.

  156. Wolf, R., Astronomische Mittheilungen, I–X. Aus der Vierteljahrsschrift Naturforsch. Ges. Zürich. Zürich, 1856–1859.

  157. Wolf, R., Schreiben an den Herausgeber. AN, Bd. 50, No. 1185, 1859, 141–144.

    Google Scholar 

  158. Wolf, R., Geschichte der Astronomie. München, 1877.

  159. Wolf, R., Sur les relations entre les taches solaires et les variations magnétiques. C. r. Acad. sci. Paris, t. 92, 1881, 861–862.

    Google Scholar 

  160. Stigler, S. M., S. Newcomb, P. Daniell, and the history of robust estimation, etc. (J. Amer. Stat. Assos., 1973). Stud. Hist. Stat. Probability, vol. 2, 410–417.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mishin St. 12, flat 35, 12508, Moscow

    O. B. Sheynin

Authors
  1. O. B. Sheynin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. D. North

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sheynin, O.B. On the history of the statistical method in astronomy. Arch. Hist. Exact Sci. 29, 151–199 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348245

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348245

Keywords

Search

Navigation