Robert T. A. Innes: Difference between revisions
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{{other people|Robert Innes}} |
{{other people|Robert Innes}} |
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[[File:Robert Thorburn Ayton Innes00.jpg|thumb]] |
[[File:Robert Thorburn Ayton Innes00.jpg|thumb]] |
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'''Robert Thorburn Ayton Innes''' (10 November 1861 – 13 March 1933) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[astronomer]] best known for discovering [[Proxima Centauri]] in 1915, and numerous [[binary star]]s. He was also the first astronomer to have seen the [[C/1910 A1|Great January Comet of 1910]], on 12 January. He was the founding director of a [[meteorology|meteorological]] station in Johannesburg, which he converted to an astronomical [[observatory]] and renamed to [[Union Observatory]]. He was the first Union Astronomer. [[Innes House]], designed by [[Herbert Baker]], built as his residence at the observatory, today houses the [[South African Institute of Electrical Engineers]]. |
'''Robert Thorburn Ayton Innes''' (10 November 1861 – 13 March 1933) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[astronomer]] best known for discovering [[Proxima Centauri]] in 1915, and numerous [[binary star]]s. He was also the first astronomer to have seen the [[C/1910 A1|Great January Comet of 1910]], on 12 January. He was the founding director of a [[meteorology|meteorological]] station in Johannesburg, which he converted to an astronomical [[observatory]] and renamed to [[Union Observatory]]. He was the first Union Astronomer. [[Innes House]], designed by [[Herbert Baker]], built as his residence at the observatory, today houses the [[South African Institute of Electrical Engineers]]. |
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|volume= 18 |
|volume= 18 |
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|issue= 3 |
|issue= 3 |
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|pages= |
|pages= 317–328 |
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|bibcode= 2001PASA...18..317O|doi = 10.1071/AS01036 }} The picture shown is probably Van den Bos |
|bibcode= 2001PASA...18..317O|doi = 10.1071/AS01036 }} The picture shown is probably Van den Bos</ref> Innes published a double star catalog in 1900 <ref>{{cite journal |
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| author= T.J.J See |
| author= T.J.J See |
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| title=Mr. Innes Reference Catalog of Southern Double Stars |
| title=Mr. Innes Reference Catalog of Southern Double Stars |
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| journal= The Observatory |
| journal= The Observatory |
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| year = 1900 | volume= 23 | pages= |
| year = 1900 | volume= 23 | pages= 283–284 |
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| bibcode=1900Obs..23..283S}} |
| bibcode=1900Obs..23..283S}}</ref> |
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that assimilated all earlier observations by southern astronomers, to provide the longest baseline for orbit determination. He published another in 1927. |
that assimilated all earlier observations by southern astronomers, to provide the longest baseline for orbit determination. He published another in 1927.<ref>{{cite journal |
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| author= Brian D. Mason, William I Hartkopf |
| author= Brian D. Mason, William I Hartkopf |
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| title= The U.S. Naval Observatory Double Star Program |
| title= The U.S. Naval Observatory Double Star Program |
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| journal= Journal of Double Star Observations |
| journal= Journal of Double Star Observations |
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| year = 2011 | volume= 7 | pages= 57 |
| year = 2011 | volume= 7 | pages= 57 |
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| bibcode=2011JDSO..7..57}} |
| bibcode=2011JDSO..7..57}}</ref> |
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His catalogs were in turn incorporated into later catalogs of all known double stars. He also published some papers on [[Perturbation (astronomy)|perturbations]] in [[Mars]]' and [[Venus]]' orbits. |
His catalogs were in turn incorporated into later catalogs of all known double stars. He also published some papers on [[Perturbation (astronomy)|perturbations]] in [[Mars]]' and [[Venus]]' orbits. |
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Despite having had no formal training in astronomy, he was invited to the [[Cape Observatory]] by the royal Cape astronomer Sir [[David Gill (astronomer)|David Gill]] in 1894 and appointed in 1896. In 1903 he took up the position of Director of the new Meteorological Observatory in [[Johannesburg]]. He acquired the observatory's first telescope, a 9-inch refractor, in 1906, and was appointed first Union Astronomer in 1912 at the establishment of the [[Union Observatory]]. The prime telescope was a 26.5 inch refractor, ideal for Innes’ continued study of faint [[visual binary]] stars. |
Despite having had no formal training in astronomy, he was invited to the [[Cape Observatory]] by the royal Cape astronomer Sir [[David Gill (astronomer)|David Gill]] in 1894 and appointed in 1896. In 1903 he took up the position of Director of the new Meteorological Observatory in [[Johannesburg]]. He acquired the observatory's first telescope, a 9-inch refractor, in 1906, and was appointed first Union Astronomer in 1912 at the establishment of the [[Union Observatory]]. The prime telescope was a 26.5 inch refractor, ideal for Innes’ continued study of faint [[visual binary]] stars. |
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John Franklin-Adams, |
John Franklin-Adams,<ref>{{cite journal |
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| author= D.G. |
| author= D.G. |
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| title=Obituary Notices: Fellows – Franklin Adams, John |
| title=Obituary Notices: Fellows – Franklin Adams, John |
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| journal= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| journal= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
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| year = 1913 | volume= 73 | pages= |
| year = 1913 | volume= 73 | pages= 201–213 |
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| bibcode=1913MNRAS..73..210}} |
| bibcode=1913MNRAS..73..210}}</ref> |
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a pioneer of astrophotography, presented his 10 inch astrographic camera |
a pioneer of astrophotography, presented his 10 inch astrographic camera |
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<ref>{{cite journal |
<ref>{{cite journal |
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| journal= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| journal= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
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| year = 1955 | volume= 115 | pages= 168 |
| year = 1955 | volume= 115 | pages= 168 |
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| bibcode=1955MNRAS..115R..168}} |
| bibcode=1955MNRAS..115R..168}}</ref> |
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to the Union Observatory, which Innes used in the discovery of [[Proxima Centauri]]. He found a faint star fairly close to and sharing the same large [[proper motion]] with [[Alpha Centauri]], which was believed to be the closest star system to the sun. Innes believed that the bright Alpha double star was not as close and named his discovery Proxima. However, he was not able to measure its distance accurately with the short focus Franklin-Adams [[astrograph]]. The definitive distance was measured by [[Harold Lee Alden]] at the Yale observatory station in Johannesburg which was equipped with a long focus camera designed for [[stellar parallax]] work. Alden’s precise measurements confirmed Proxima to be the closest star to the sun. No closer star has been found to date. |
to the Union Observatory, which Innes used in the discovery of [[Proxima Centauri]]. He found a faint star fairly close to and sharing the same large [[proper motion]] with [[Alpha Centauri]], which was believed to be the closest star system to the sun. Innes believed that the bright Alpha double star was not as close and named his discovery Proxima. However, he was not able to measure its distance accurately with the short focus Franklin-Adams [[astrograph]]. The definitive distance was measured by [[Harold Lee Alden]] at the Yale observatory station in Johannesburg which was equipped with a long focus camera designed for [[stellar parallax]] work. Alden’s precise measurements confirmed Proxima to be the closest star to the sun. No closer star has been found to date. |
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Visual double star observation was Innes’ main contribution to astronomy. When he started observing them as an amateur in Australia, the choice plums had already been picked by earlier astronomers, notably [[James Dunlop]] and [[John Herschel]]. Many of Innes’ discoveries were stars with faint companions that were missed by earlier observers. Most of his labor was the measurement of the relative positions of binary pairs with a [[filar micrometer]]. All known doubles were periodically re-measured to determine their orbits. With Thiele, Innes formulated a simplified method of specifying double star orbits. These orbital parameters when combined with other measurements, such as [[radial velocity]] allow the mass of each star of the binary pair to be determined. Mass, combined with luminosity and temperature or spectral type, is a fundamental parameter needed in theories of [[stellar structure]] and [[stellar evolution]]. |
Visual double star observation was Innes’ main contribution to astronomy. When he started observing them as an amateur in Australia, the choice plums had already been picked by earlier astronomers, notably [[James Dunlop]] and [[John Herschel]]. Many of Innes’ discoveries were stars with faint companions that were missed by earlier observers. Most of his labor was the measurement of the relative positions of binary pairs with a [[filar micrometer]]. All known doubles were periodically re-measured to determine their orbits. With Thiele, Innes formulated a simplified method of specifying double star orbits. These orbital parameters when combined with other measurements, such as [[radial velocity]] allow the mass of each star of the binary pair to be determined. Mass, combined with luminosity and temperature or spectral type, is a fundamental parameter needed in theories of [[stellar structure]] and [[stellar evolution]]. |
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The [[University of Leyden]] awarded Innes an [[honoris causa]] doctorate in 1923. He retired in 1927. Innes was a first rank chess player. He died suddenly on 13 March 1933 in England while pursuing a 3D cinema idea: He had amused observatory guests with a stereo cinema viewer, |
The [[University of Leyden]] awarded Innes an [[honoris causa]] doctorate in 1923. He retired in 1927. Innes was a first rank chess player. He died suddenly on 13 March 1933 in England while pursuing a 3D cinema idea: He had amused observatory guests with a stereo cinema viewer,<ref>{{cite book |
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|author= Juliet Marais Louw |
|author= Juliet Marais Louw |
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|title= When Johannesburg and I Were Young |
|title= When Johannesburg and I Were Young |
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|pages= |
|pages= 94–96}} |
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</ref> |
</ref> |
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and probably had in mind combining its principle with that of a [[blink comparator]], which he used in finding stars of high [[proper motion]], to make a screen 3D projector. |
and probably had in mind combining its principle with that of a [[blink comparator]], which he used in finding stars of high [[proper motion]], to make a screen 3D projector. |
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==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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Revision as of 02:38, 3 December 2014
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
Robert Thorburn Ayton Innes (10 November 1861 – 13 March 1933) was a Scottish astronomer best known for discovering Proxima Centauri in 1915, and numerous binary stars. He was also the first astronomer to have seen the Great January Comet of 1910, on 12 January. He was the founding director of a meteorological station in Johannesburg, which he converted to an astronomical observatory and renamed to Union Observatory. He was the first Union Astronomer. Innes House, designed by Herbert Baker, built as his residence at the observatory, today houses the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Biography
He was born on 10 November 1861 in Edinburgh to John and Elizabeth (née Ayton) Innes. He had 11 younger siblings.[1]
A self-taught astronomer, he went to Australia at an early age and made his living as a wine merchant in Sydney, where, using a home made 12-inch reflecting telescope, he discovered several double stars new to astronomy.[2] Innes published a double star catalog in 1900 [3] that assimilated all earlier observations by southern astronomers, to provide the longest baseline for orbit determination. He published another in 1927.[4] His catalogs were in turn incorporated into later catalogs of all known double stars. He also published some papers on perturbations in Mars' and Venus' orbits.
Despite having had no formal training in astronomy, he was invited to the Cape Observatory by the royal Cape astronomer Sir David Gill in 1894 and appointed in 1896. In 1903 he took up the position of Director of the new Meteorological Observatory in Johannesburg. He acquired the observatory's first telescope, a 9-inch refractor, in 1906, and was appointed first Union Astronomer in 1912 at the establishment of the Union Observatory. The prime telescope was a 26.5 inch refractor, ideal for Innes’ continued study of faint visual binary stars.
John Franklin-Adams,[5] a pioneer of astrophotography, presented his 10 inch astrographic camera [6] to the Union Observatory, which Innes used in the discovery of Proxima Centauri. He found a faint star fairly close to and sharing the same large proper motion with Alpha Centauri, which was believed to be the closest star system to the sun. Innes believed that the bright Alpha double star was not as close and named his discovery Proxima. However, he was not able to measure its distance accurately with the short focus Franklin-Adams astrograph. The definitive distance was measured by Harold Lee Alden at the Yale observatory station in Johannesburg which was equipped with a long focus camera designed for stellar parallax work. Alden’s precise measurements confirmed Proxima to be the closest star to the sun. No closer star has been found to date.
Visual double star observation was Innes’ main contribution to astronomy. When he started observing them as an amateur in Australia, the choice plums had already been picked by earlier astronomers, notably James Dunlop and John Herschel. Many of Innes’ discoveries were stars with faint companions that were missed by earlier observers. Most of his labor was the measurement of the relative positions of binary pairs with a filar micrometer. All known doubles were periodically re-measured to determine their orbits. With Thiele, Innes formulated a simplified method of specifying double star orbits. These orbital parameters when combined with other measurements, such as radial velocity allow the mass of each star of the binary pair to be determined. Mass, combined with luminosity and temperature or spectral type, is a fundamental parameter needed in theories of stellar structure and stellar evolution.
The University of Leyden awarded Innes an honoris causa doctorate in 1923. He retired in 1927. Innes was a first rank chess player. He died suddenly on 13 March 1933 in England while pursuing a 3D cinema idea: He had amused observatory guests with a stereo cinema viewer,[7] and probably had in mind combining its principle with that of a blink comparator, which he used in finding stars of high proper motion, to make a screen 3D projector.
Legacy
Innes tirelessly campaigned for foreign investment in South Africa's astronomy infrastructure - he believed that its clear skies were ideally suited for astronomical observation. He discovered some 1600 new pairs of double stars, had a great interest in stellar proper motions and devoted much time to the study of Jupiter's satellites.
He discovered Innes star.
Honors
The following features have been named after him:
- The lunar crater Innes.
- The asteroid 1658 Innes.
References
- Astronomische Nachrichten, volume 249, p.51 1933 but says he discovered Proxima Centauri in 1917
- ^ Hockey, Thomas (2009). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-387-31022-0. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ Orchiston, W. "From Amateur Astronomer to Observatory Director: The Curious Case of R. T. A. Innes". Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. 18 (3): 317–328. Bibcode:2001PASA...18..317O. doi:10.1071/AS01036. The picture shown is probably Van den Bos
- ^ T.J.J See (1900). "Mr. Innes Reference Catalog of Southern Double Stars". The Observatory. 23: 283–284. Bibcode:1900Obs..23..283S.
{{cite journal}}: Check|bibcode=length (help) - ^ Brian D. Mason, William I Hartkopf (2011). "The U.S. Naval Observatory Double Star Program". Journal of Double Star Observations. 7: 57. Bibcode:2011JDSO..7..57.
{{cite journal}}: Check|bibcode=length (help) - ^ D.G. (1913). "Obituary Notices: Fellows – Franklin Adams, John". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 73: 201–213. Bibcode:1913MNRAS..73..210.
{{cite journal}}: Check|bibcode=length (help) - ^ W.H. van den Bos (1955). "Report of proceedings of Johannesburg, Union Observatory". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 115: 168. Bibcode:1955MNRAS..115R..168.
{{cite journal}}: Check|bibcode=length (help) - ^ Juliet Marais Louw. When Johannesburg and I Were Young. pp. 94–96.
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