Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke

Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke ( born February 5, 1835 in Groß- armies in Hannover, † December 3, 1897 in Bonn ) was a German astronomer.

After completing his studies Winnecke was first assistant at the Berlin Observatory and Vice 1858-1867 director of the observatory Pulkowa. After that he lived a longer time as a private citizen in Karlsruhe. At the foundation of the new German University of Strasbourg Winnecke was a professor of astronomy.

Despite the in the early days of the Institute very limited resources available there came the old observatory under the direction Winneckes soon a high reputation. The observatory newly built according to his plans was the beginning of the 20th century one of the best facilities for astronomical research in Europe.

Winnecke had substantial proportion of the radiation emitted by Germany expedition to observe the Venus passages 1874, for which he directed all the preparatory work and also carried out a large part of the calculations of the results. His own observations related in particular to the variables on nebulae ( galaxies) and comets. He has discovered a total of 10 comets, including the comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke.

Winnecke finally had to give up his position for health reasons in 1886. August Winnecke died on 3 December 1897 in Bonn.