Astronomer Royal

Astronomer Royal the title of Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in Greenwich was in his capacity as court astronomer to the British Royal Family. The Office was established by Charles II on June 22, 1675 to life when he assigned annually to the astronomer John Flamsteed a salary of £ 100 ( equivalent to approximately £ 12,560 today adjusted for inflation ) and instructed him " with the most exact care and diligence of the to devote improving the tables of the motions of the heavens and the positions of the stars to find the longed-for determining longitude, making the art of navigation could be perfect. "

Since 1972, the functions are separated and the Astronomer Royal has since become a title of honor for deserving astronomers.

The previous holder of the title with their terms of office are:

  • John Flamsteed (1675-1720)
  • Edmund Halley (1720-1742)
  • James Bradley (1742-1762)
  • Nathaniel Bliss (1762-1764)
  • Nevil Maskelyne (1765-1811)
  • John Pond (1811-1835)
  • George Biddell Airy (1835-1881)
  • William Christie (1881-1910)
  • Frank Dyson (1910-1933)
  • Harold Spencer Jones (1933-1955)
  • Richard van der Riet Wooley (1956-1971)
  • Martin Ryle (1972-1982)
  • Francis Graham Smith (1982-1990)
  • Arnold W. Wolfendale (1990-1995)
  • Martin Rees (since 1995)

See also Astronomer Royal for Scotland

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