Le Verrier―Magnificent and Detestable Astronomer (Astrophysics and Space Science Library (397)) (English and French Edition)

Translated from the original French by Bernard Sheehan; Edited and with an introduction by Dr. William Sheehan, a neuroscientist and amateur astronomer who is also a research fellow of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona Le Verrier was a superb scientist. His discovery of Neptune in 1846 made him the most famous astronomer of his time. He produced a complete theory of the motions of the planets which served as a basis for planetary ephemeris for a full century. Doing this, he discovered an anomaly in the motion of Mercury which later became the first proof of General Relativity. He also founded European meteorology. However his arrogance and bad temper created many enemies, and he was even fired from his position of Director of the Paris Observatory. Le Verrier was a superb scientist. His discovery of Neptune in 1846 made him the most famous astronomer of his time. He produced a complete theory of the motions of the planets which served as a basis for planetary ephemeris for a full century. Doing this, he discovered an anomaly in the motion of Mercury which later became the first proof of General Relativity. He also founded European meteorology. However his arrogance and bad temper created many enemies, and he was even fired from his position of Director of the Paris Observatory -- Front Matter....Pages i-xvi The Years of His Youth (1811–1845)....Pages 1-19 The Discovery of Neptune (1845–1846)....Pages 21-53 Waiting in the Wings (1847–1853)....Pages 55-75 The Observatory: At Last!....Pages 77-125 The Dictator (1854–1870)....Pages 127-172 The Fall (1870–1872)....Pages 173-207 The Second Reign (1873–1877)....Pages 209-246 Telegraphic Longitudes....Pages 247-266 Le Verrier and Meteorology....Pages 267-302 The Legacy of Le Verrier....Pages 303-319 Erratum....Pages E1-E1 Back Matter....Pages 321-337 This book explores the scientific career of a man whose 1846 discovery of Neptune made him the most famous astronomer of his time, while his arrogance and bad temper made him many enemies, even to the point of his dismissal as Director of the Paris Observatory.