Alexis Bouvard

Alexis Bouvard (27 June 1767 – 7 June 1843) was a French astronomer. He is particularly noted for his careful observations of the irregularities in the motion of Uranus and his hypothesis of the existence of an eighth planet in the solar system.

Life

Born in Contamines, France, Bouvard's achievements included the discovery of eight comets and the compilation of astronomical tables of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. While the former two tables were eminently successful, the latter showed substantial discrepancies with subsequent observations. This led Bouvard to hypothesise the existence of an eighth planet responsible for the irregularities in Uranus' orbit.^[1] The position of Neptune was subsequently calculated from Bouvard's observations, independently, by John Couch Adams and Urbain Le Verrier after his death.^[1]

Bouvard was director of the Paris Observatory. He died in Paris.^[1]

Honours

• Member Académie des sciences (1803);^[1]
• Fellow of the Royal Society (1826);^[1]
• In Australia, a cape known as Cape Bouvard has been named after him when French sailors discovered Western Australia. Bouvard is also a semi-rural residential suburb, while Port Bouvard is a major residential development in the same region. All three locations are located within the city of Mandurah on the southwest coast of Western Australia Link.

References

Bibliography

• [Anon.] (2001) "Bouvard, Alexis", Encyclopaedia Britannica, Deluxe CDROM edition