Johannes Klein (astronomer)

Johannes Klein

Father Johannes Klein (born July 25, 1684 in Česká Kamenice , Bohemia , † January 15, 1762 in Prague ) was a Bohemian astronomer and mechanic, as well as a Jesuit - father and designer of astronomical clocks .

life and work

In 1703, Klein joined the Jesuit order and taught mathematics , astronomy and mechanics . From 1732 until his death he was head of the mathematical museum in the " Collegio Clementino " in Prague. Many astronomical instruments and clocks are known from him from that time. He was a so-called “ priest mechanic ” and left behind a multitude of astronomical clocks. He also constructed the planetary clocks for the old Prague observatory in the “Clementinum” and was honored there with a large oil painting (250 cm high, 210 cm wide).

The most important works include the geographical clock created in 1738, 1751 and 1752, as well as the two astronomical clocks on both sides. The first is now in Dresden in the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon , the two astronomical (Tychonic and Copernican) have remained in the former Jesuit college of the Prague Clementinum . Here, in the astronomical tower , two quadrants constructed by him are built into the walls (wall quadrants ).

Web links

Literature by and about Johannes Klein in the catalog of the German National Library
Copernican clock collection Národní knihovny ČR
Tychonic clock collection Národní knihovny ČR
Watches from Klein Klementinum
Astronomical-geographical Stutzuhr Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Individual evidence

^ Special reprint from the monthly publication: Deutsche Arbeit ; VII year 1907-08; P. 5.
↑ Zdislav Šíma: Astromie a Klementinum = Astronomy and Clementinum. Národní Knihovna ČR, Praha 2001, ISBN 80-7050-386-6 , pp. 50, 113.
^ Anton Strnadt: Description of the famous clock and works of art on the Altstädter. Waltherische Hofbuchhandlung, Prague / Dresden 1791, p. 35. (with a detailed description of a clock) (digitized version)
^ Ladislaus Weinek: Astronomical observations at the KK observatory in Prague. P. 78 and 149, Prague Observatory, 1907. (excerpt)
^ Stanislav Michal: Astronomical art clocks by Johannes Klein. In: Classic watches. 2/96, Ebner Verlag, Ulm, p. 42f.
↑ Christian Väterlein (Ed.): Philipp Matthäus Hahn 1739–1790 Pastor, Astronomer, Engineer, Entrepreneur. Volume 2, Württemb. Landesmuseum, Stuttgart 1989, pp. 407f.
^ Wolfram Dolz, Joachim Schardin, Klaus Schillinger, Helmut Schramm: Clocks - Globes - Scientific Instruments. Karl M. Lipp Verlag, Dresden 1993, DNB 941351858 , p. 113.

personal data
SURNAME	Klein, Johannes
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Klein, Jan; Klein, Johann
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Bohemian astronomer and mechanic
DATE OF BIRTH	July 25, 1684
PLACE OF BIRTH	Česká Kamenice
DATE OF DEATH	January 15, 1762
Place of death	Prague

[1] Special reprint from the monthly publication: Deutsche Arbeit ; VII year 1907-08; P. 5.

[2] Zdislav Šíma: Astromie a Klementinum = Astronomy and Clementinum. Národní Knihovna ČR, Praha 2001, ISBN 80-7050-386-6 , pp. 50, 113.

[3] Anton Strnadt: Description of the famous clock and works of art on the Altstädter. Waltherische Hofbuchhandlung, Prague / Dresden 1791, p. 35. (with a detailed description of a clock) (digitized version)

[4] Ladislaus Weinek: Astronomical observations at the KK observatory in Prague. P. 78 and 149, Prague Observatory, 1907. (excerpt)

[5] Stanislav Michal: Astronomical art clocks by Johannes Klein. In: Classic watches. 2/96, Ebner Verlag, Ulm, p. 42f.

[6] Christian Väterlein (Ed.): Philipp Matthäus Hahn 1739–1790 Pastor, Astronomer, Engineer, Entrepreneur. Volume 2, Württemb. Landesmuseum, Stuttgart 1989, pp. 407f.

[7] Wolfram Dolz, Joachim Schardin, Klaus Schillinger, Helmut Schramm: Clocks - Globes - Scientific Instruments. Karl M. Lipp Verlag, Dresden 1993, DNB 941351858 , p. 113.