Charles-Eugene Delaunay

Charles-Eugene Delaunay

French astronomer and mathematician
Date of Birth: 09.04.1816
Country: France

Content:
  1. Charles-Eugène Delaunay
  2. Theory of Lunar Motion
  3. Paris Observatory and Honors
  4. Tragic End

Charles-Eugène Delaunay

Early Life and Education

Charles-Eugène Delaunay was born on April 9, 1816, in Lusigny-sur-Barse, France. He pursued his education at the Sorbonne under the guidance of Jean-Baptiste Biot, focusing on mathematics and astronomy.

Theory of Lunar Motion

Delaunay dedicated his career to studying the movement of the Moon. He treated it as a special case of the three-body problem, where the Earth, Moon, and Sun interact gravitationally. In 1860 and 1867, he published two monumental works totaling over 900 pages each, outlining his theory.

While his infinite series for calculating the Moon's position exhibited slow convergence, inhibiting their widespread use, his efforts paved the way for advancements in functional analysis and computer algebra.

Paris Observatory and Honors

In 1870, Delaunay ascended to the position of Director of the Paris Observatory. His tenure was marked by his dedication to astronomical research.

Delaunay's contributions earned him numerous accolades. He was elected to the Paris Academy of Sciences in 1855, the Royal Society of London in 1869, and the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences as a foreign corresponding member in 1871. In 1862, he became a member of the Bureau des Longitudes.

In 1870, he received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, a testament to his profound impact on astronomy.

Tragic End

On August 13, 1872, tragedy struck when Delaunay's ship encountered a fierce storm near Cherbourg. The vessel capsized, resulting in Delaunay's untimely demise at the age of 56.

Delaunay's legacy lives on through his groundbreaking contributions to celestial mechanics and mathematics. His pioneering work continues to inspire astronomers and mathematicians alike.

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