Before revision: Astronomy The term originated in astronomy, when it was discovered that numerous observers making simultaneous observations would record slightly different values (for example, in recording the exact time at which a star crossed a wire in a telescope view-finder ), some of which were of a significant enough difference to afford for problems in larger calculations.Simon Schaffer, "Astronomers Mark Time: Discipline and the Personal Equation," Science in Context, 2 (1988), 101–131.
After revision: Astronomy The term originated in astronomy, when it was discovered that numerous observers making simultaneous observations would record slightly different values (for example, in recording the exact time at which a star crossed the wires of a reticule in a telescope ), some of which were of a significant enough difference to afford for problems in larger calculations.Simon Schaffer, "Astronomers Mark Time: Discipline and the Personal Equation," Science in Context, 2 (1988), 101–131.