The English astronomer John Flamsteed (1646-1719). Largely self-educated because of poor health, he was soon noticed for some early publications on na
The English astronomer John Flamsteed (1646-1719). Largely self-educated because of poor health, he was soon noticed for some early publications on navigational astronomy. Flamsteed was appointed by Charles II as the first Astronomer Royal in 1675, charged with the construction of accurate lunar & stellar tables (needed at that time to enable seafarers to determine longitude at sea). The Royal Greenwich Observatory was created for the purpose, and the task was to occupy Flamsteed for the rest of his life. He did eventually finish the work, which contained the positions of nearly 3000 stars to an accuracy of 10 seconds of arc, but it was not published until 6 years after his death.
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Keywords: astronomer, flamsteed, john, portrait, portraits, royal, surname
