Who Discovered Neptune?
URBAIN LE VERRIER
Born on March 11th, 1811 in Saint-Lo, France. Died September 23 1877 in Paris, France.
French astronomer who predicted by mathematical means the existence of Neptune.
Teacher of astronomy at the École Polytechnique (“Polytechnic School) in Paris, 1837
1845-took his attention to the irregular orbit of Uranus, explained it by a previously unknown planet, he then calculated the unknown planets size and position and asked a German astronomer to look at it (below)
After his calculations proved correct, he won the Copley Medal from the Royal Society of London and was named an officer in the Legion of Honour. A chair of astronomy was created for him at the University of Paris
1854- he became director of the Observatory of Paris only to be removed in 1870. However was reinstated in 1873 with limited authority
One of Neptune's rings named after him (Le Verrier)
To learn more about Urbain Le Verrier please visit: http://www.britannica.com/biography/Urbain-Jean-Joseph-Le-Verrier
JOHANN GOTTFRIED GALLE
Born on June 9th, 1812 near Gräfenhainichen, Prussian Saxony, Germany. Died July 10,1910 in Potsdam, Germany
The German astronomer who Urbain Le Verrier gave his calculations of the unknown planets size and position
On September 23, 1846, after just one hour of searching, Galle found Neptune within one degree that Urbain had computed
He became assistant directory of the Berlin Observatory from 1835-1851
He studied the rings of Saturn and suggested a method of measuring the scale of the solar system by observing the parallax of asteroids which was later successful
He was the director of the Breslau Observatory from 1851-1897
Born on June 9th, 1812 near Gräfenhainichen, Prussian Saxony, Germany. Died July 10,1910 in Potsdam, Germany
The German astronomer who Urbain Le Verrier gave his calculations of the unknown planets size and position
On September 23, 1846, after just one hour of searching, Galle found Neptune within one degree that Urbain had computed
He became assistant directory of the Berlin Observatory from 1835-1851
He studied the rings of Saturn and suggested a method of measuring the scale of the solar system by observing the parallax of asteroids which was later successful
He was the director of the Breslau Observatory from 1851-1897
JOHN COUCH ADAMS
Born on June 5th, 1819 in Laneast,Cornwall England. Died January 21, 1892 in Cambridge, England.
Had a unique ability to do mathematical calculations in his head without using pen and paper
Studied at St.Johns College, Cambridge, while still an undergraduate he made an investigation to figure out why there were irregularities in the motion of Uranus
He thought that the unexpected planetary orbit could be due to the presence of an undiscovered planet and that the new planet was twice as far from the Sun as Uranus
He gave his work to the director of the Cambridge Observatory but the observatory took no action on his work. Several months later Urbain Le Verrier submitted similar work and the work was actually acted upon
After the discovery of Neptune, the director of the Cambridge Observatory pointed out that John Couch Adams had been the first to predict the presence of Neptune.
However Urbain and John shared the credit. John has also made other contributions to astronomy
To learn more on John Couch Adams please visit:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/John_Couch_Adams.aspx
Born on June 5th, 1819 in Laneast,Cornwall England. Died January 21, 1892 in Cambridge, England.
Had a unique ability to do mathematical calculations in his head without using pen and paper
Studied at St.Johns College, Cambridge, while still an undergraduate he made an investigation to figure out why there were irregularities in the motion of Uranus
He thought that the unexpected planetary orbit could be due to the presence of an undiscovered planet and that the new planet was twice as far from the Sun as Uranus
He gave his work to the director of the Cambridge Observatory but the observatory took no action on his work. Several months later Urbain Le Verrier submitted similar work and the work was actually acted upon
After the discovery of Neptune, the director of the Cambridge Observatory pointed out that John Couch Adams had been the first to predict the presence of Neptune.
However Urbain and John shared the credit. John has also made other contributions to astronomy
To learn more on John Couch Adams please visit:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/John_Couch_Adams.aspx
Other Influential People
WILLIAM LASSELL
Born on June 18, 1799 in Bolton, United Kingdom and died on October 5, 1880 in Maidenhead, United Kingdom. Was a merchant and an astronomer in England
He started a brewery business in 1825 after a seven-year apprenticeship and became interested in astronomy
In 1844 he began construction of a 24-inch reflecting telescope, using a machine of his own design for polishing the mirror. With this telescope, the first of its size to be set in an equatorial mounting, he discovered Triton on Oct. 10, 1846, only 17 days after Neptune itself had been discovered.
Also discovered 2 moons of Uranus and one of Saturn
To learn more about William Lassell, please visit:
http://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Lassell
Born on June 18, 1799 in Bolton, United Kingdom and died on October 5, 1880 in Maidenhead, United Kingdom. Was a merchant and an astronomer in England
He started a brewery business in 1825 after a seven-year apprenticeship and became interested in astronomy
In 1844 he began construction of a 24-inch reflecting telescope, using a machine of his own design for polishing the mirror. With this telescope, the first of its size to be set in an equatorial mounting, he discovered Triton on Oct. 10, 1846, only 17 days after Neptune itself had been discovered.
Also discovered 2 moons of Uranus and one of Saturn
To learn more about William Lassell, please visit:
http://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Lassell