The Traité, the astronomer, the instrument

Abstract

The astronomer Emmanuel Liais, on his Traité d’astronomie appliquée a la géographie et a la navigation suivi de la géodésie pratique pointed out that the absence of a theory of scientific instruments was the main reason for the incipient observational results made on journeys and expeditions. It also explained the lack of use of instruments on these events. Considering the aspects mentioned by the French astronomer, on the quoted piece, I intend to highlight the importance of the trajectory of scientific instruments for the understanding of their use and function in different spaces of memory.