Lomonosov's Discovery of Venus Atmosphere in 1761: English Translation of Original Publication with Commentaries

TL;DR

This paper provides the first complete English translation and commentary on Lomonosov's 1761 report, revealing his pioneering discovery of Venus's atmosphere during its transit, a significant milestone in astronomical history.

Contribution

It offers the first full English translation of Lomonosov's original publication with detailed commentaries and extensive bibliography, enhancing accessibility and understanding of his discovery.

Findings

Lomonosov discovered Venus's atmosphere during its 1761 transit.

The paper includes the first English translation of the original report.

Commentaries provide historical and scientific context for the discovery.

Abstract

Key figure of Russian Enlightenment, polymath Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov (1711-1765) had discovered atmosphere of Venus during its transit over the Sun's disc in 1761. This paper contains the first full English translation of his report (originally published in Russian in July of 1761 and in German in August of the same year), commentaries and extensive bibliography.