MATHEMATICIAN, ASTRONOMER, GEOGRAPHER

Life
One of the most eminent of the ancient Greek scientists, Autolycus was born in Pitane, in Aeolis (Asia Minor). He is cited by Diogenes Laertius and Simplicius. Two of his surviving works (extant in Greek, Latin and Arabic) are the oldest known treatises on astronomy. One of the three biggest craters on the moon (above the "Apennines" north of the centre of the moon) has been named "Autolycus" in his honour.


Work
Autolycus wrote two treatises on mathematical astronomy:

"On the movement of the sphere": 1 book, extant. Describes a sphere constructed by the author to revolve about its axis. Upon it he marked two poles, the parallels of latitude and the meridians. The book includes 12 questions on spherical astronomy, and discusses the aspect of the heavens and the position of the different celestial circles, in connection with geographical latitude. Euclid consulted this work in writing his "Phaenomena".

"On the Rising and Setting of Stars": 2 books, extant. The first book contains 13 propositions on astronomical questions, while the second discusses the division of the circle of the zodiac into twelve equal parts. These works are considered the oldest fully preserved mathematical texts in Greek.