Karl Theodor Robert Luther
Karl Theodor Robert Luther (born April 16, 1822 in Schweidnitz , † February 15, 1900 in Düsseldorf ) was a German astronomer who was best known for the discovery of numerous asteroids .
Life
From 1841 he studied philosophy , mathematics and astronomy in Breslau and Berlin . At the same time he worked at the Berlin observatory and got a job there in 1848. In 1851 he moved to the Düsseldorf observatory as director .
Between 1852 and 1890 he succeeded in discovering a total of 24 asteroids . He outbid the Franco-German astronomer Hermann Goldschmidt , who found 14 asteroids between 1852 and 1861. After Luther, the American Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters had 48 asteroids ( 1861–1889) and the Austrian Johann Palisa had 123 asteroids (1874–1923).
While drawing the academic star map hora O , Luther discovered the variable star T Piscium in the constellation Pisces .
At the University of Bonn he was awarded a Dr. phil. honoris causa and received the Lalandesches Prize for Astronomy seven times from the Paris Académie des Sciences . His city of Düsseldorf was also financially grateful for the prestige gained through the discoveries.
On the Paris commemorative medal of 1868, which was minted on the occasion of the hundredth asteroid, he is shown alongside Hermann Goldschmidt and John Russel Hind , two other multiple discoverers. The medal was in 1869 in the Paris Mint on behalf of Napoleon III. pronounced. The asteroid (1303) Luthera was named after him. In addition, the moon crater Luther was named after him. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Leopoldina .
Quote
“The other day I wanted to go to the observatory with an acquaintance and suddenly thought of that stargazer in Düsseldorf who was also there in the pubs and has always been tracking down such small planets, the fool, I think his name was Lutter; otherwise I had forgotten him completely. "
literature
- Paul Neugebauer : About Robert Luther and the exploration of the small planets. In: Silesian Society for Patriotic Culture. Annual report. 78, Section II: Natural Sciences. a: Meetings of the Natural Science Section. 1901, pp. 13-15 .
- Felix Schmeidler : Luther, Robert. In: New German Biography (NDB). Volume 15, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1987, ISBN 3-428-00196-6 , p. 561 f. ( Digitized version ).
Web links
- Publications by R. Luther in the Astrophysics Data System
- Obituaries for CTR Luther in the Astrophysics Data System
Individual evidence
- ↑ Joseph & Fellner No. 1354, illustration plate 57
- ↑ Quoted from: Beatrix Müller, Marianne Tilch (Ed.): Düsseldorf. Texts and images from four centuries. JB Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart 1991, ISBN 3-476-00784-7 , p. 220
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Luther, Karl Theodor Robert |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Luther, Robert |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German astronomer, discoverer of numerous asteroids |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 16, 1822 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Schweidnitz , Silesia |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 15, 1900 |
| Place of death | Dusseldorf |