John Flamsteed

John Flamsteed , 1646-1719, English astronomer. He was appointed (1675) astronomer royal by King Charles II and carried on his researches at Greenwich Observatory. Over his protests—he did not consider it ready for publication—the Historia Coelestis, which included the first of the Greenwich star catalogs, was published in 1712. His complete work, Historia Coelestis Britannica, finished after his death by his assistants, did not appear until 1725.

Bibliography: See E. F. McPike, Hevelius, Flamsteed and Halley (1937).

Flamsteed, John (1646–1719). Flamsteed was the first astronomer‐royal. Handicapped by ill‐health, he began astronomical observations and in 1675 was placed on a panel to investigate claims to ascertain longitude at sea. The same year he was appointed by Charles II to supervise the new royal observatory at Greenwich. In 1677 he was elected to the Royal Society. In 1707, after many difficulties, Flamsteed's first catalogue of observations was published.

Flamsteed, John (1646–1719)Englishastronomer, the first Astronomer Royal, appointed in 1675 by King Charles II in response to the need to find a reliable means of measuring longitude at sea. Flamsteed had recommended obtaining more accurate measurements of the movements of the Moon and the positions of the stars. The Royal Observatory at Greenwich was built for him. Flamsteed's catalogue of 2935 stars, Historia coelestis Britannica, was published posthumously in 1725, and was the first major star catalogue compiled with the aid of a telescope. Four years later a set of star charts based on the catalogue, Atlas coelestis, appeared.