From Lacaille to Lalande. French works on lunar distances, nautical ephemerides and lunar tables, 1742-1785

TL;DR

This paper explores the largely overlooked French astronomical works from 1742-1785 on lunar distances and ephemerides, highlighting their influence on the Nautical Almanac's development in the 18th century.

Contribution

It uncovers the significance of French astronomers' contributions to lunar distance methods and nautical ephemerides during the 18th century, previously underappreciated.

Findings

French works influenced Maskelyne's Nautical Almanac

Lunar distance methods were advanced by French astronomers

French ephemerides contributed to navigation improvements

Abstract

The papers studies the highly misknown works of french astronomers on ephemerides and lunar distances on the period 1742-1785. These works will have a strong influence on the development of the Nautical Almanac by Nevil Maskelyne in 1766-1767.