Mathematical Treasure: Euler and the Two-body Problem

In 1744, Leonhard Euler published Theoria motuum planetarum et cometarum (The theory of motion for planets and comets), in which he studied the “Two-body Problem” involving the sun’s effect on the motion on a planet. In referring to the universe, the frontispiece for this work bears the descriptive title “sapientissimi opus” (“the wisest or most brilliant work”).

The image above is presented courtesy of the University of Oklahoma Library.

Index to Mathematical Treasures