Francesco de Vico

Francesco de Vico (also de Vigo) ( born May 19, 1805 in Macerata, † November 15, 1848 in London ) was an Italian astronomer at the Vatican Observatory and a Jesuit.

De Vico discovered numerous comets, including periodic 54P/de Vico - Swift - NEAT and 122P/de Vico. Other comets, which he discovered and named after him are: C/1845 D1 ( de Vico), C/1846 B1 ( de Vico), C/1846 O1 ( de Vico - Hind ) and C/1846 S1 ( de Vico ). He also observed the Saturn and tried the rotation period of Venus to determine.

In Italy, he began the project with a star atlas up to the 11th magnitude to create, but had to emigrate into exile due to political unrest in 1848. About Paris and London, he came to the U.S., where he met the president. He wanted to continue his project and came to recruit some colleagues back to Europe. Weakened by the voyage, he died in London.

The lunar crater De Vico and the asteroid ( 20103 ) de Vico were named in his honor.