Johann Palisa

Johann Palisa

Born December 6, 1848(1848-12-06)
Opava
Died May 2, 1925(1925-05-02) (aged 76)
Nationality Austrian
Fields astronomy
Institutions University of Vienna
Known for asteroids
Notable awards Lalande Prize, 1876

Johann Palisa (December 6, 1848 – May 2, 1925) was an Austrian astronomer, born in Opava in Austrian Silesia (now in the Czech Republic).

He was a prolific discoverer of asteroids, discovering 122 in all, from 136 Austria in 1874 to 1073 Gellivara in 1923. Some of his notable discoveries include 153 Hilda, 216 Kleopatra, 243 Ida, 253 Mathilde, 324 Bamberga, and the Amor asteroid 719 Albert.

The asteroid 914 Palisana and the crater Palisa on the Moon were named in his honour.

Early work

From 1866 to 1870, Palisa studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Vienna; however, he did not graduate until 1884. Despite this, by 1870 he was an assistant at the University's observatory, and a year later gained a position at the observatory in Geneva. A few years later, in 1872, at the age of 24, Palisa became the director of the Austrian Naval Observatory in Pula. While at Pula, he discovered his first asteroid, 136 Austria, on March 18, 1874. Along with this, he discovered twenty-seven minor planets and one comet. During his stay in Pula he used a small six-inch refractor telescope to aid in his research.

External links

Obituaries

Asteroids discovered: 122
136 Austria March 18, 1874
137 Meliboea April 21, 1874
140 Siwa October 13, 1874
142 Polana January 28, 1875
143 Adria February 23, 1875
151 Abundantia November 1, 1875
153 Hilda November 2, 1875
155 Scylla November 8, 1875
156 Xanthippe November 22, 1875
178 Belisana November 6, 1877
182 Elsa February 7, 1878
183 Istria February 8, 1878
184 Dejopeja February 28, 1878
192 Nausikaa February 17, 1879
195 Eurykleia April 19, 1879
197 Arete May 21, 1879
201 Penelope August 7, 1879
204 Kallisto October 8, 1879
205 Martha October 13, 1879
207 Hedda October 17, 1879
208 Lacrimosa October 21, 1879
210 Isabella November 12, 1879
211 Isolda December 10, 1879
212 Medea February 6, 1880
214 Aschera February 29, 1880
216 Kleopatra April 10, 1880
218 Bianca September 4, 1880
219 Thusnelda September 30, 1880
220 Stephania May 19, 1881
221 Eos January 18, 1882
222 Lucia February 9, 1882
223 Rosa March 9, 1882
224 Oceana March 30, 1882
225 Henrietta April 19, 1882
226 Weringia July 19, 1882
228 Agathe August 19, 1882
229 Adelinda August 22, 1882
231 Vindobona September 10, 1882
232 Russia January 31, 1883
235 Carolina November 28, 1883
236 Honoria April 26, 1884
237 Coelestina June 27, 1884
239 Adrastea August 18, 1884
242 Kriemhild September 22, 1884
243 Ida September 29, 1884
244 Sita October 14, 1884
248 Lameia June 5, 1885
250 Bettina September 3, 1885
251 Sophia October 4, 1885
253 Mathilde November 12, 1885
254 Augusta March 31, 1886
255 Oppavia March 31, 1886
256 Walpurga April 3, 1886
257 Silesia April 5, 1886
260 Huberta October 3, 1886
262 Valda November 3, 1886
263 Dresda November 3, 1886
265 Anna February 25, 1887
266 Aline May 17, 1887
269 Justitia September 21, 1887
273 Atropos March 8, 1888
274 Philagoria April 3, 1888
275 Sapientia April 15, 1888
276 Adelheid April 17, 1888
278 Paulina May 16, 1888
279 Thule October 25, 1888
280 Philia October 29, 1888
281 Lucretia October 31, 1888
286 Iclea August 3, 1889
290 Bruna March 20, 1890
291 Alice April 25, 1890
292 Ludovica April 25, 1890
295 Theresia August 17, 1890
299 Thora October 6, 1890
301 Bavaria November 16, 1890
304 Olga February 14, 1891
309 Fraternitas April 6, 1891
313 Chaldaea August 30, 1891
315 Constantia September 4, 1891
320 Katharina October 11, 1891
321 Florentina October 15, 1891
324 Bamberga February 25, 1892
326 Tamara March 19, 1892
569 Misa July 27, 1905
583 Klotilde December 31, 1905
652 Jubilatrix November 4, 1907
671 Carnegia September 21, 1908
687 Tinette August 16, 1909
688 Melanie August 25, 1909
689 Zita September 12, 1909
703 Noëmi October 3, 1910
710 Gertrud February 28, 1911
711 Marmulla March 1, 1911
716 Berkeley July 30, 1911
718 Erida September 29, 1911
719 Albert October 3, 1911
722 Frieda October 18, 1911
723 Hammonia October 21, 1911
724 Hapag October 21, 1911
725 Amanda October 21, 1911
728 Leonisis February 16, 1912
730 Athanasia April 10, 1912
734 Benda October 11, 1912
750 Oskar April 28, 1913
782 Montefiore March 18, 1914
783 Nora March 18, 1914
794 Irenaea August 27, 1914
795 Fini September 26, 1914
803 Picka March 21, 1915
827 Wolfiana August 29, 1916
828 Lindemannia August 29, 1916
867 Kovacia February 25, 1917
876 Scott June 20, 1917
902 Probitas September 3, 1918
903 Nealley September 13, 1918
932 Hooveria March 23, 1920
941 Murray October 10, 1920
964 Subamara October 27, 1921
975 Perseverantia March 27, 1922
996 Hilaritas March 21, 1923
1073 Gellivara September 14, 1923
14309 Defoy September 22, 1908