Johannes Hevelius
Lunar topographer, comet discoverer, and brewer of Gdańsk.
via Wikipedia: Timeline of women in science · see source
He is renowned as an astronomer who earned the title 'the founder of lunar topography' and described ten new constellations, seven of which remain in use today.
- field
- Astronomy, municipal administration
- nationality
- Citizen of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (considered himself civis Orbis Poloniae)
- known_for
- Founder of lunar topography; discovery of four comets; invention of seven still-used constellations; last major astronomer to work without a telescope
Lore & Background
As a young boy he studied Polish in Gądecz. Catherine's Church in Gdańsk.
Reader's Guide
Hevelius's significance lies in his foundational work in lunar topography, his systematic observations of comets and variable stars, and his creation of constellations still used today. He discovered four comets and proposed they move in parabolic paths around the Sun.
Did You Know?
- Hevelius brewed the famous Jopen beer, which gave its name to Jopengasse/Jopejska Street in Gdańsk.
- His second wife, Elisabeth Koopmann, is considered the first female astronomer and published two of his works after his death.
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