Fontenelle's Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
1686
The French savant Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle published an elegant dialogue explaining Copernican astronomy to a fictional marquise strolling through a moonlit garden. Written in witty French rather than ponderous Latin, it was the first great work of popular science, proving that the universe could be made charming as well as terrifying.
In context
Also in 1686 (4 other events on record)
- Buda Reconquered from the Ottomans · Europe · War
- Mughal Empire at Its Greatest Extent · South Asia · Politics
- Dominion of New England · North America · Politics
- Last Aurochs Sighting Confirmed · Europe · Science
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Science
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.