Johann Palisa
Encyclopedia : J : JO : JOH : Johann Palisa
December 6 1848 – May 2 1925) was an Austrian astronomer, born in Troppau in Austrian Silesia (now in the Czech Republic). He was a prolific discoverer of asteroids, discovering 122 in all, from 136 Austria in 1874 to 1073 Gellivara in 1923. Some of his notable discoveries include 153 Hilda, 216 Kleopatra, 243 Ida, 253 Mathilde, 324 Bamberga, and the Amor asteroid 719 Albert. The asteroid 914 Palisana was named in his honour.
Early Work
From 1866 to 1870, Johann studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Vienna; however, he did not graduate until 1884. Despite this, by 1870 he was an assistant at the University's observatory, and a year later gained a position at the observatory in Geneva. A few years later, in 1872, at the age of 24, Johann became the director of the Austrian Naval Observatory in Pola. While at Pola, he discovered his first asteroid, (136) Austria, on March 18, 1874. Along with this, he discovered twenty-seven minor planets and one comet. During his whole stay in Pola he used a small six-inch refractor telescope to aid in his research.External links
- [link]
Obituaries
- [AN 225 (1925) 125/126] (in German)
- [Obs 48 (1925) 299] (one paragraph)
- [PASP 37 (1925) 174]
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