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Sherburne BurnhamAmerican astronomer
Date of Birth: 12.12.1838
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Sherburne Wesley Burnham: A Pioneer in Double Star Astronomy
- Fascination with Astronomy
- Observatory Appointments
- Scientific Achievements
- Catalogs of Double Stars
- Legacy
Sherburne Wesley Burnham: A Pioneer in Double Star Astronomy
Early Life and EducationSherburne Wesley Burnham was born on December 12, 1838, in Thetford, Vermont. After graduating from Thetford Academy, he moved to Chicago and pursued a career as a court reporter.
Fascination with Astronomy
However, Burnham's passion for astronomy ultimately prevailed. In Chicago, he established his own observatory equipped with a 15-cm telescope. His remarkable observations of double stars brought him international acclaim.
Observatory Appointments
In 1870, Burnham began a 12-year observational campaign that culminated in his appointment to the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California (1882). From 1893 to 1913, he worked at the Yerkes Observatory of the University of Chicago in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, where he also held the position of Professor of Practical Astronomy.
Scientific Achievements
In 1874, Burnham became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. In 1894, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the society for his groundbreaking work on double stars. In 1904, the Paris Academy of Sciences bestowed upon him the Lalande Prize.
Catalogs of Double Stars
Burnham's meticulous observations resulted in several catalogs of double stars. His most comprehensive publication, the "General Catalogue of Double Stars within 121 ° of the North Pole" (1906), contained data on an astonishing 13,665 stars. He personally discovered over 1,340 double stars.
Legacy
Sherburne Wesley Burnham passed away in Chicago on March 11, 1921. His pioneering observations and meticulous catalogs continue to inspire astronomers and contribute to our understanding of the universe. His name remains etched in the annals of astronomical history as one of the most influential figures in the study of double stars.
