Dando la vuelta al mundo. DE DONDE VENIMOS Y DÓNDE ESTAMOS. (ASTRONOMIA I) (3/36)

Influences on Human History: The Journey of Christopher Columbus

The Background of Columbus's Voyage

• Christopher Columbus, an experienced sailor claiming to be from Genoa, navigated many seas and gathered documents suggesting a smaller radius for the Earth than previously proposed by Aristotle and Ptolemy.

• This smaller radius convinced him that he could sail west from Spain to reach the Indies, where valuable spices were located, aiming to establish a new trade route.

Motivations Behind the Expedition

• The primary goal was to open a western trade route since the eastern route was dominated by Portuguese control; spices were highly lucrative, often worth more than gold.

• Columbus presented his plans to the Portuguese monarchs, who were skeptical due to uncertainties in his calculations and the daunting nature of crossing an immense ocean.

The Role of Spanish Monarchs

• After completing the Reconquista in Granada, Queen Isabella considered Columbus's proposal but initially prioritized ongoing military efforts.

• Discussions took place at the University of Salamanca with leading astronomers debating Columbus's claims about Earth's size versus established scientific knowledge.

Scientific Debate and Risks

• A significant conflict arose between Columbus and scholars at Salamanca regarding Earth's dimensions; they believed he was mistaken about its size.

• If America had not existed, it is likely that Columbus would have perished during his journey due to miscalculating distances—he faced a return point dilemma after traveling 5,000 km towards China.

Decision-Making Process

• Scholars referenced Aristotelian and Ptolemaic theories which estimated Earth's circumference as approximately 22,000 leagues—making trans-oceanic travel seem impossible.

• Despite skepticism from experts like Marino de Tiro who suggested shorter ocean distances (750 leagues), discussions continued on whether Columbus’s voyage could succeed based on these alternative calculations.

Calculating Risks vs. Rewards

• The Catholic Monarchs analyzed potential risks against possible rewards; they weighed losing lives against gaining access to lucrative spice trade routes through a successful expedition.

• Ultimately deciding to support Columbus with caravels for exploration while acknowledging that failure might lead them back empty-handed.

Launching Point for Exploration

• Historians suggest that discovering or conquering the Canary Islands would have been pivotal for launching expeditions toward America due to favorable winds known as trade winds.

The Astronomical Navigation of Christopher Columbus

The Role of Trade Winds in Navigation

• Columbus utilized the trade winds from the Canary Islands, likening them to a tube that directed ships towards America along the 28th parallel. This knowledge was crucial for his journey.

• He understood that maintaining a consistent latitude (28 degrees) and keeping the North Star at a specific height were essential for navigation westward, symbolizing a methodical approach to exploration.

Challenges During the Voyage

• Midway through their journey, the Pinzón brothers expressed discontent among the crew, prompting Columbus to agree to adjust their course slightly southward. This decision significantly altered their landing point.

• Instead of reaching Florida, they arrived at San Salvador in the Caribbean, which had profound implications for Spanish operations in North America and shaped future conquests. If they had landed in Florida, it might have become a central hub for Spanish colonization efforts.

Return Journey Insights

• Upon returning home, Columbus was aware of westerly winds that would facilitate his return trip eastward—a fact he understood due to astronomical principles governing wind patterns at those latitudes. This knowledge was pivotal yet not widely recognized at the time.

Magellan's Similar Journey

• Ferdinand Magellan's expedition mirrored Columbus's initial attempts; he sought royal approval from Portuguese kings to circumnavigate the globe but faced skepticism regarding his plans and discoveries about new routes through South America.

• Despite initial doubts about finding a passage through South America, Magellan embarked on an extensive voyage with hopes of discovering this route leading to Asia via what he believed was an existing strait. However, he encountered challenges as he navigated unfamiliar waters like Río de la Plata instead of finding a direct passageway.

Discovering New Routes

• After numerous setbacks searching for a strait around South America, Magellan eventually discovered what is now known as the Strait of Magellan—an important maritime route that allowed him access to the Pacific Ocean after navigating around South America entirely.

• His journey continued across vast oceans toward Asia; however, many crew members perished due to battles and diseases during this arduous expedition before only one ship returned home under Sebastián Elcano’s command—highlighting both human resilience and peril during these explorations.