Tabulæ astronomicæ Ludovici Magni

Commissioned during the height of the scientific revolution in France, these tables were compiled by Philippe de La Hire under the auspices of the Académie Royale des Sciences. Published in Paris in 1702, the work was intended to provide a more accurate mathematical basis for celestial observation and navigation than the preceding Rudolphine Tables. The publication serves as a primary example of the rigorous astronomical standardization pursued during the reign of Louis XIV, aiming to solidify France's intellectual prominence in the field of observational science.

The design of the work reflects the meticulous nature of La Hire’s methodology, incorporating extensive calculations based on his own observations at the Paris Observatory. The volume is noted for its clear, systematic presentation of planetary motions, which were essential for maritime safety and cartography at the time. Upon its release, the work was received as a cornerstone of late 17th-century astronomy, providing practitioners with a reliable set of references that remained in scholarly circulation for decades throughout Europe.