The French Academy of Sciences sent two astronomers to measure the distance from the North Pole to the Equator from "summary" of The Measure of All Things by Ken Alder
The French Academy of Sciences, a venerable institution founded by Louis XIV in 1666, had a reputation for promoting and supporting scientific research. In the late 18th century, when the Academy decided to undertake the ambitious task of measuring the size and shape of the Earth, they knew they needed the best minds in astronomy for the job. They selected two astronomers, Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Delambre and Pierre-François-André Méchain, to lead the expedition to measure the distance from the North Pole to the Equator. Delambre and Méchain were not just any astronomers - they were well-respected members of the scientific community with years of experience in making precise astronomical observations. They were tasked with determining the exact length of one degree of latitude, which would allow them to calculate the circumference of the Earth. This was no small feat, as it required them to travel to remote and inhospitable locations to make their measurements. The astronomers set out on their journey in 1792, armed with the latest instruments and a burning desire to uncover the true dimensions of the Earth. They faced numerous challenges along the way, from harsh weather conditions to political unrest in the wake of the French Revolution. Despite these obstacles, Delambre and Méchain persevered, meticulously recording their observations and calculations as they traveled from Dunkirk in the north to Barcelona in the south. Their efforts paid off when, after seven years of painstaking work, they were able to present their findings to the Academy. The result of their measurements was a groundbreaking discovery - the Earth was not a perfect sphere, but slightly flattened at the poles. This revelation forever changed our understanding of the world we live in and solidified Delambre and Méchain's place in history as pioneers of modern science.
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