LEONARDO DA VINCI 1452-1519

Leonardo da VINCI Vinci, 1452–Amboise, 1519 Hydrology and astronomy Left-hand page: The Physics of the Earth: Comparison of the Volumes of the Elements; Determination of the Centre of Gravit Right-hand page: The Moon Composed of the Four Elements; Relationship between the Sun, Earth and Moon at the Moon’s First Quarter; Ashen Light as a Reflection of Sunlight on the Earth’s Seas. Pen and brown ink on paper About 1506–1510 Leonardo is thought to have been the first to explain the phenomenon of ashen light. At the Moon’s first quarter, the full globe of the Moon is visible as a grey shadow against the night sky. Leonardo claimed that this resulted from the reflection of sunlight on the Earth’s seas. Bill and Melinda Gates Collection, Seattle, Codex Leicester, fol. 35v–2r 0 89