![]() ![]() The scientific establishment-from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton-had mapped the heavens in its certainty of a celestial answer. In 1714, England's Parliament offered a huge reward to anyone whose method of measuring longitude could be proven successful. Ships ran aground on rocky shores those traveling well-known routes were easy prey to pirates. ![]() Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of all scientific challenges. It is also a captivating brief history of astronomy, navigation and clockmaking. An exciting scientific adventure from the days of wooden ships and iron men, LONGITUDE is full of heroism and chicanery, brilliance and the absurd. ![]()
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