Karl Theodor Robert Luther (16 April 1822, Świdnica – 15 February 1900 Düsseldorf), normally published as Robert Luther, was a German astronomer. While working at the Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf, Germany, he searched for asteroids and discovered 24 of them between 1852 and 1890.[1][2] Seven times Lalande Prize winner.
Robert Luther | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Robert Luther on a commemorative medal | |
| Born | 16 April 1822 |
| Died | 15 February 1900 (aged 77) Düsseldorf, Germany |
| Known for | discovery of 24 asteroids |
| Awards | Lalande Prize (1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1859, 1860 and 1861) |
| Scientific career | |
| Academic advisors | Johann Franz Encke |
Biography
editKarl Theodor Robert Luther was born on 16 April 1822 to August Luther and Wilhelmine von Ende. He was home schooled and studied in the local high school. In 1841, he moved to Breslau where he studied until 1843.[3]
In 1843 Luther moved to Berlin to study astronomy. He was a student of Johann Franz Encke and helped him in his astronomical calculations and creating the astronomical almanac. In 1850 he became a second observer. In 1851, Franz Brünnow invited Luther to the Düsseldorf-Bilk Observatory to become a director of the observatory after him.[3]
Luther married Caroline (nee Marker) and they had one son, William. Luther died in 1900 after a short illness in Düsseldorf.[3]
Discoveries
editLuther discovered 24 asteroids between 1852 and 1890.[1][2]
Two of his discoveries are now known to have unusual properties: 90 Antiope, a binary asteroid with equal components, and the extremely slow-rotating 288 Glauke.
| 17 Thetis | 17 April 1852 |
| 26 Proserpina | 5 May 1853 |
| 28 Bellona | 1 March 1854 |
| 35 Leukothea | 18 April 1855 |
| 37 Fides | 5 October 1855 |
| 47 Aglaja | 15 September 1857 |
| 50 Virginia[1] | 19 October 1857 |
| 53 Kalypso | 4 April 1858 |
| 57 Mnemosyne | 22 September 1859 |
| 58 Concordia | 24 March 1860 |
| 68 Leto | 29 April 1861 |
| 71 Niobe | 13 August 1861 |
| 78 Diana | 15 March 1863 |
| 82 Alkmene | 27 November 1864 |
| 84 Klio | 25 August 1865 |
| 90 Antiope | 1 October 1866 |
| 95 Arethusa | 23 November 1867 |
| 108 Hecuba | 2 April 1869 |
| 113 Amalthea | 12 March 1871 |
| 118 Peitho | 15 March 1872 |
| 134 Sophrosyne | 27 September 1873 |
| 241 Germania | 12 September 1884 |
| 247 Eukrate | 14 March 1885 |
| 258 Tyche | 4 May 1886 |
| 288 Glauke | 20 February 1890 |
| |
Honors and awards
editThe asteroid 1303 Luthera and the lunar crater Luther were named in his honour.[2][4]
He was awarded the Lalande Prize seven times, in 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1859, 1860 and 1861.
Royal Astronomical Society Fellow since June 1854.[5]
In 1869, a commemorative medal honoring the discovery of the 100th asteroid shows the profiles of John Russel Hind, Hermann Goldschmidt and Robert Luther.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1303) Luthera". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1303) Luthera. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 107. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1304. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
- ^ a b c Plicht C.A. (2014). Luther, Karl Theodor Robert. In: Hockey T. et al. (eds) Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer, New York, NY.
- ^ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature – Planetary Names: Crater, craters: Luther on Moon". International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN). Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Royal Astronomical Society (1899). "List of the Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Spottiswoode & Company., digitized=13 Jul 2010
- ^ "Mr. Bishop's Observatory". The Illustrated London News. 55: 368,372. October 9, 1869.