A handmade framed reproduction of the The Selenic Shadowdial or the Process of the Lunation, a chart showing the phases of the moon. The original engraving is by Pierre Miotte & was published in Athanasius Kircher's book Ars Magna Lucis et Umbrae (The Great Art of Light & Shadow), (Rome, Scheus, 1646). Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) was a 17th-century German Jesuit scholar & polymath who published around 40 major works, most notably in the fields of Eastern studies, geology, & medicine. The Lunation Process is the cycle of lunar phases, which repeats approximately every 29.5 days. The Moon's phases are caused by the changing position of the Moon in relation to the Earth & the Sun. As the Moon orbits the Earth, different parts of it are illuminated by the Sun, creating the phases of the Moon that we see from Earth. The Lunation Process is important in many cultures & has been used for thousands of years to mark the passage of time & to aid in navigation. Accompanied by explanatory text & diagrams, it illustrates how the changing angles of sunlight & shadow on the moon's surface produce the observable lunar phases. This chart served as an invaluable educational tool, aiding scholars & students in comprehending the mechanics of lunar phases & the complex interaction of light & shadow in the night sky. - 8x10 canvas in a standing / hanging frame. Selenic Shadowdial - Process Of The Lunation Pierre Miotte 1646 Handmade Framed Reproduction On Canvas 8x10 Choice Frames