Johann Georg Palitzsch
Johann Georg ( e) Palitzsch ( born June 11, 1723 in Prohlis in Dresden, † February 21, 1788 ) was a German scientist ( "peasant astronomer ", " scholar Bauer" ), who was famous for the discovery of the predicted Halley's comet and is particularly well known to the lovers of the history of astronomy today.
Life and work
Youth
From the strict stepfather brought to a successful farmer, is Palitzsch suitable for self-study on knowledge of astronomy, physics and botany; animated by the sermons in the Leubnitzer Church and the private reading of the Bible. Very important was the acquaintance to the Tolkewitzer twisting dealer Christian Gärtner, whose performance and relationships he has built.
The latest scientific information received Palitzsch in the Mathematics and Physics Salon, where he regularly handed in his weather observations.
1758/59
Palitzsch discovered on December 25, 1758 by Edmond Halley predicted return of Halley 's Comet. Until then came comet and it (mostly dark ) made prophecies - this time there was one expected by the learned world with voltage prediction of a comet. To confirm the theory of gravitation by Newton for all to see, for example, was Charles Messier, the " comet ferret " paid. And so it was a "miracle of Prohlis " that a (seemingly) simple farmer in, from the Seven Years' War heavily loaded, was the first Dresden area. Christian Gotthold Hoffmann published Palitzschs and his own observations in the " Dreßdnischen scholars ads ". This reading of the " Lovers of Star Science " ( according to Lalande probably Johann Heinrich Winckler ) in Leipzig, the now late January 1759 another orbit of the comet could predict to June. Gottfried Heinsius forwarded these messages to Paris at Joseph -Nicolas Delisle, with whom he corresponded already because of the observations of Christian gardener.
Dresdner " oddity "
After this discovery Palitzsch was his exemplary Well, his collection of instruments and curios and its botanical garden an attraction in Dresden and foreign visitors.
When Venus Transit 1761, he discovered (among others) its atmosphere.
1770 Palitzsch was included in the "Leipziger Economic Societät " because of its agricultural knowledge as an associate member.
1783 his observations of the brightness variation of Algol in the Philosophical Transactions were published. These contributions, which auffrischten its glory once again in Europe, he had to thank Hans Moritz von Brühl. This relationship is an example of Palitzschs good relationship with many scholars and nobles, for example, Mendelssohn and Friedrich August III.
The introduction of the potato and the lightning rod in the Dresden Elbe Valley are attributed to him. His knowledge in these fields, his interest in almost all things that were accessible to him and his then considered as exemplary life are undisputed and many mentions in the contemporary press has - throughout Europe.
Honors
His name carry three craters ( Palitzsch, Palitzsch A and B) and a valley ( Vallis Palitzsch ) on the moon. The asteroid ( 11970 ) Palitzsch was dedicated to him on 28 March 2002.
In his former home village (now part of Dresden ) honor him the home and Palitzschmuseum Prohlis and Palitzsch Society. There is the built in 1877 Palitzsch Monument, the 1923 and 1982 designed for 121 middle school " Johann Georg Palitzsch " offset Palitzsch Fountain and the Georg- Palitzsch Street. In Freital- Döhlen the mansion of the chamber property Döhlen 1949 was called the arts center, a new farmers settlement and " Bauer Palitzsch - house". The present road has since been Johann Georg Palitzsch yard.
The Johann -Georg - Palitzsch Medal is named after him.
Publications
- Observations on the obscuration of the star Algol, by Palitch, a Farmer. Communicated in a Letter from the Count de Bruhl, FRS to Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. PRS Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol 74, pp. 4 (1784 ) ( online)