An Overview of Surveys of Paris Meridian Arc Section Lengths in the 17th and 18th Century

Abstract

A brief introduction is followed by description of the spread of the Paris meridian in France. Following is description of the survey of Paris meridian arc section lengths and production of contemporary maps of France: by Jean Picard, Philippe de la Hire, Jean-Dominique Cassini (Cassini I), Cassini II, Cassini III and Cassini IV.

Keywords

• meridian arc length, Paris meridian, Paris Observatory, survey, trigonometric chain, contemporary maps, first maps produced in a certain scale