Bernard Ferdinand Lyot

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Meudon Observatory

Bernard Ferdinand Lyot (born February 27, 1897 in Paris , † April 2, 1952 in Cairo ) was a French astronomer who devoted himself in particular to the study of the sun .

Life

Lyot studied engineering , physics and chemistry at the University of Paris . From 1920 until his death he worked at the Observatory of Meudon (→ Paris Observatory ).

He specialized in the manufacture of optical systems and developed equipment for studying the polarization of the reflected light from the planets . The Lyot filter goes back to him .

During observations at the observatory on the Pic du Midi , he discovered that the surface of the moon has properties of volcanic dust and sandstorms occur on Mars .

By using a polarimeter , he improved the effectiveness of the solar coronograph he had developed . He was the first to get film recordings of the prominences . In addition, he detected new absorption lines in the corona .

"Bernard Lyot" mirror telescope on the Pic du Midi

Lyot was only 55 years old.

Awards

In his memory, the lunar crater Lyot , the Martian crater Lyot and the asteroid (2452) Lyot were named after him. The two-meter reflector telescope on the Pic du Midi, which went into operation in 1980, also bears his name.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ List of members since 1666: Letter L. Académie des sciences, accessed on January 4, 2020 (French).
  2. ^ Fellows Directory. Biographical Index: Former RSE Fellows 1783–2002. (PDF file) Royal Society of Edinburgh, accessed January 4, 2020 .
personal data
SURNAME Lyot, Bernard Ferdinand
BRIEF DESCRIPTION French astronomer
DATE OF BIRTH February 27, 1897
PLACE OF BIRTH Paris
DATE OF DEATH April 2, 1952
Place of death Cairo