Johann Heinrich von Mädler Biography
Johann Madler was born in Berlin in 1794. Madler’s became interested in astronomy when he saw a comet as a child. Because he was Orphaned early in his life, Madler was responsible for raising his younger sisters. Madler studied astronomy and mathematics at the University of Berlin. During his time there he studied under both Encke and Ohm.
Madler became a tutor in order to give some of his earnings to his family. While working as a tutor, Madler came into contact with a wealthy banker and amateur astronomer named Wilhelm Beer. Beer realized Madler’s abilities and offered him a position at the observatory that Beer was building. Madler, with Beer’s help, made a number of important contributions to astronomy.
While he worked at Beer’s observatory, Madler made the most comprehensive map of the moon to date. He was the first to divide the moon into four separate quadrants. His maps of the moon were considered its most accurate documentation for the three decades after they were created.
Madler also made observations of Mars. He and Beer were the first astronomers to map the planet. Using Hershel’s calculations, they attempted to determine Mars’ rotational period, eventually coming within 1.1 seconds of finding the exact period. Though Madler was most famous for his observations of Mars and the moon, he made observations of Jupiter early in his career as well. His first contribution to astronomy was his discovery of two dark spots on Jupiter’s rings.
He also developed the Central Sun Hypothesis which said that the center of the universe, or more accurately the center of the universe’s gravity, is located in the star cluster known as the Pleiades. To find this, Madler observed the motions of over 3,000 stars. Though this hypothesis was eventually proven false, his observations were used by later astronomers.
After working with Beer, Madler accepted a position and became director of the Dorpat Observatory in Estonia. Madler also made great meteorological observations. He made the most accurate calculations of Earth’s tropical year. Madler published his complete works, History of Descriptive Astronomy, in 1873. Madler died in 1874 in Germany.
While he worked at Beer’s observatory, Madler made the most comprehensive map of the moon to date. He was the first to divide the moon into four separate quadrants. His maps of the moon were considered its most accurate documentation for the three decades after they were created.
Madler also made observations of Mars. He and Beer were the first astronomers to map the planet. Using Hershel’s calculations, they attempted to determine Mars’ rotational period, eventually coming within 1.1 seconds of finding the exact period. Though Madler was most famous for his observations of Mars and the moon, he made observations of Jupiter early in his career as well. His first contribution to astronomy was his discovery of two dark spots on Jupiter’s rings.
He also developed the Central Sun Hypothesis which said that the center of the universe, or more accurately the center of the universe’s gravity, is located in the star cluster known as the Pleiades. To find this, Madler observed the motions of over 3,000 stars. Though this hypothesis was eventually proven false, his observations were used by later astronomers.
After working with Beer, Madler accepted a position and became director of the Dorpat Observatory in Estonia. Madler also made great meteorological observations. He made the most accurate calculations of Earth’s tropical year. Madler published his complete works, History of Descriptive Astronomy, in 1873. Madler died in 1874 in Germany.
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