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Leslie C. Peltier | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1900 |
| Died | May 10, 1980 (aged 80) |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Spouse | Dorothy 'Dottie' Nihiser |
| Parents |
|
Leslie Copus Peltier (January 2, 1900 – May 10, 1980) was an American amateur astronomer who is known to the public as discoverer or co-discoverer of ten comets. Within the astronomical community, he is known mostly for his work observing variable stars. He also discovered two novae.
Peltier received no formal astronomy education. He dropped out of school after his sophomore year of high school to help on the family farm. He educated himself with books from the public library until he could purchase books for himself.
Harlow Shapley described him as "the world's greatest non-professional astronomer".
Early life and education
editPeltier was born on the family farm a few miles west of Delphos, Ohio.[1]
Biography
editDelphos is located in northwestern Ohio in both Van Wert and Allen County. His homeplace was located on South Bredeick Street, and his home is still standing today. The home was known as Brookehaven. Peltier married Dorothy Nihiser in November 1933. An amateur astronomer, he was a prolific discoverer of comets and also a persistent observer of variable stars and member of the AAVSO.
He wrote the heart-warming autobiographical Starlight Nights (ISBN 0-933346-94-8), which evokes the magic of stargazing in simpler days, on a farm and without light pollution.
Telescopes and observatories
editTwo inch refractor
editPeltier's first telescope was a mail-order refractor. He made a mount for that telescope from a fence post and a grindstone. With that telescope, he began his observation of variable stars, regularly sending reports to the Harvard Observatory.[2]
Four inch reflector
editSix inch Cometfinder and Merry-go-round Observatory
editThe Merry-go-round Observatory was featured in the February 1940 issue of Popular Science magazine. The article included photographs and a detailed drawing of the construction of the observatory.[3]
Twelve inch Clark Refractor and observatory
editComet discoveries
editPeltier is credited as the discoverer or co-discoverer of ten comets.[4][Notes 1]
| IAU CBAT designation | Discovery Date | Comet name |
|---|---|---|
| 1925j | 1925 Nov 13 | Wilk-Peltier |
| 1930a | 1930 Feb 20 | Peltier-Schwassmann-Wachmann |
| 1932k | 1932 Aug 08 | Peltier-Whipple |
| 1933a | 1933 Feb 16 | Peltier |
| 1936a | 1936 May 15 | Peltier |
| 1939a | 1939 Jan 19 | Kozik-Peltier |
| 1944a | 1943 Sep 19 | van Gent-Peltier-Daimaca |
| 1945f | 1945 Nov 24 | Friend-Peltier |
| 1952d | 1952 Jun 20 | Peltier |
| 1954d | 1954 Jun 29 | Kresak-Peltier |
Awards and Legacy
editIn 1967, Peltier was awarded the G. Bruce Blair Medal.[6]
as is the Leslie C. Peltier Award of the Astronomical League.
Asteroid 3850 Peltier is named in his honor.,
Notes
edit- ^ Many sources state that Peltier discovered 12 comets. Excerpts from his autobiography explain that Comet 1937c Wilk was "found by LP a few hours after Wilk" and Comet 1943b Daimaca was "found by LP 16 days after Daimaca".[5] The International Astronomical Union lists Peltier as discoverer or co-discoverer of ten comets that bear his name. The IAU is considered the most definitive authority.
References
edit- ^ Silverman, Barbara (August 1999). "The History of Astronomy: Leslie C. Peltier". Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. 93: 190–193. Bibcode:1999JRASC..93..190S. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ Zurcher, Neil (2008). Strange Tales from Ohio: True Stories of Remarkable People, Places, and Events in Ohio History. Gray & Company, Publishers. ISBN 9781598510485.
- ^ "Merry-Go-Round Observatory". Popular Science. 136 (2). Popular Science Publishing Co, Inc.: 108–109 February 1940. ISSN 0161-7370. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "IAUC Text-Item Titles: IAUCs 1-8000". IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ Saladyga, M. "Comets discovered by Leslie Peltier". American Association of Variable Star Observers. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "G. BRUCE BLAIR AWARD Recipients". Western Amateur Astronomers. Western Amateur Astronomers. Retrieved 23 July 2015.