Flamsteed

Definition

Flamsteed is the surname of John Flamsteed, an English astronomer who cataloged over 3,000 stars in his comprehensive star atlas. His work laid the foundation for modern stellar cartography and celestial navigation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. John Flamsteed was the first Astronomer Royal of England, appointed in 1675.
2. The star catalog published by Flamsteed is known as 'Historia Coelestis Britannica' and contains detailed positions of stars.
3. Flamsteed numbers are a system of naming stars based on their position within a constellation rather than their brightness.
4. He used telescopic observations to improve the accuracy of stellar position measurements significantly.
5. Flamsteed’s work was initially unpublished during his lifetime due to disputes with other scientists but was later published posthumously by his widow.

Review Questions

• Who was John Flamsteed and what was his primary contribution to astronomy?
• What is 'Historia Coelestis Britannica' and why is it significant?
• How do Flamsteed numbers differ from other star naming systems?

Related terms

Astronomer Royal: A prestigious title given to the leading astronomer in England, with John Flamsteed being the first to hold this office.

Star Catalog: A comprehensive list or database of stars including information like their positions and magnitudes.

Celestial Navigation: The practice of using positions of celestial bodies, including stars catalogued by astronomers like Flamsteed, to navigate.