The Simple Usefulness of the Secchi Disc | Science History Institute
“In 1865 Pope Pius IX decided he needed more accurate measurements of the turbidity of the Mediterranean Sea. His reasons were disputed even at the time—some sources say he wanted to measure water pollution in and around the Mediterranean; others that he wanted more reliable navigational charts; while still others maintained that he simply wanted written proof of the beauty and clarity of the sea’s waters. Whatever the reason, Pius IX wanted turbidity measurements standardized.”
Read the Article | Distillations | Miriam Reid
All images via Wikipedia Commons designated as “Public Domain”
Corvetta pontificia "Immacolata Concezione" (1870)
Angelo Secchi S.J. (Italian pronunciation: [ˈandʒelo ˈsekki]; 28 June 1818 – 26 February 1878) was an Italian Catholic priest, astronomer from the Italian region of Emilia.