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Amateur Astronomy in France, 1789–1830: Two Examples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Simone Dumont  and
Solange Grillet
Simone Dumont
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d’Astrophysique Théorique, IAP 98 bis Bd. Arago, F-75014 PARIS, France
Solange Grillet
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Paris, 61 av. de l’Observatoire, F-75014 Paris, France

Abstract

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Historical events affected astronomy in France at this period. Large instruments were also rare so amateurs were on equal terms with professionals. Two significant amateurs are described:

Honoré Flaugerges (1755–1830), justice of the peace at Viviers (Ardèche), observed from 1782 until his death, in particular discovering two comets and recording sunspots.

Anne-Jean P.C. Duc-Lachappelle (1765–1814), studied astronomy in Paris, and set up an observatory in Montauban in 1789, mainly observing planets and Mercury in particular. He had one pupil, Bernier, and set up a local society for arts and sciences in 1796.

Both of these astronomers had numerous contacts with professional astronomers throughout Europe.

Type
Part I Historical
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 98: Stargazers: The Contribution of Amateurs to Astronomy , 1988 , pp. 55
Copyright
Copyright © Springer-Verlag 1988