Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Paris Observatory A 1682 map shows adjustments to the coast of France. The Paris Observatory (French: Observatoire de Paris, pronounced [ɔbsɛʁvatwaʁ də paʁi]), a research institution of the Paris Sciences et Lettres University, is the foremost astronomical observatory of France, and one of the largest astronomical centers in the world.
Jean Picard (21 July 1620 – 12 July 1682) was a French astronomer and priest born in La Flèche, where he studied at the Jesuit Collège Royal Henry-Le-Grand.. He is principally notable for his accurate measure of the size of the Earth, based on a careful survey of one degree of latitude along the Paris Meridian.
Moreover, the French meridian arc was important for geodesy as it was one of the meridian arcs which were measured to determine the figure of the Earth via the arc measurement method. [1] The determination of the figure of the Earth was a problem of the highest importance in astronomy , as the diameter of the Earth was the unit to which all ...
Radio astronomy emerged after the Second World War, when experts and surplus equipment became available for civilian use. The École Normale Superieure was given three 7.5 m diameter Würzburg Riese that the British had seized from the Germans during the war. These were initially deployed at a research centre of the French navy at Marcoussis. [1]
The astronomical system of units, formerly called the IAU (1976) System of Astronomical Constants, is a system of measurement developed for use in astronomy.It was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976 via Resolution No. 1, [1] and has been significantly updated in 1994 and 2009 (see Astronomical constant).
The Bureau des Longitudes (French: [byʁo de lɔ̃ʒityd]) is a French scientific institution, founded by decree of 25 June 1795 and charged with the improvement of nautical navigation, standardisation of time-keeping, geodesy and astronomical observation. During the 19th century, it was responsible for synchronizing clocks across the world.
The following are list of French astronomers, astrophysicists and other notable French people who have made contributions to the field of astronomy.They may have won major prizes or awards, developed or invented widely used techniques or technologies within astronomy, or are directors of major observatories or heads of space-based telescope projects.
The Côte d'Azur Observatory (French: Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, pronounced [ɔpsɛʁvatwaʁ də la kot dazyʁ], OCA) is a network of astronomical observatories throughout southern France. It originated in 1988 with the merger of two observatories :