Editing Roger Cotes (section)

==Astronomy==
Roger Cotes's contributions to modern [[Computational mathematics|computational methods]] lie heavily in the fields of [[astronomy]] and mathematics. Cotes began his educational career with a focus on [[astronomy]]. He became a [[Fellow#Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin|fellow]] of Trinity College in 1707, and at age 26 he became the first Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy. On his appointment to professor, he opened a subscription list in an effort to provide an [[observatory]] for Trinity. Unfortunately, the observatory was still unfinished when Cotes died, and was demolished in 1797.<ref name="ODNB"/>

In correspondence with Isaac Newton, Cotes designed a [[heliostat]] telescope with a mirror revolving by clockwork.<ref>Edleston, J., ed. (1850) ''Correspondence of Sir Isaac Newton and Professor Cotes, …'' (London, England:  John W. Parker), [https://archive.org/stream/correspondenceof00newtrich#page/197/mode/2up "Letter XCVIII.  Cotes to John Smith."] (1708 February 10), pp. 197–200.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mathforcollege.com/nm/anecdotes/cotes.html|title=cotes - A Historical Anecdote|last=Kaw|first=Autar|date=2003-01-01|website=mathforcollege.com|access-date=2017-12-12}}</ref> He recomputed the solar and planetary tables of [[Giovanni Domenico Cassini]] and [[John Flamsteed]], and he intended to create tables of the [[moon]]'s [[planetary motion|motion]], based on Newtonian principles.{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} Finally, in 1707 he formed a school of physical sciences at Trinity in partnership with [[William Whiston]].<ref name="ODNB"/>