Leverrier, Urbain Jean Joseph (1811–1877)
French mathematician who, beginning in 1838, studied the causes of perturbations
in the Solar System. His work led to improved knowledge of the masses of
the planets, the scale of the Solar System, and the velocity of light. He
also predicted the existence of two new planets – one of which was
subsequently confirmed. In 1845 he learned from François Arago
of certain irregularities in the movements of Uranus,
which hinted at the existence of an eighth planet. LeVerrier's calculated
position of this perturbing body enabled Johann Galle
to confirm it observationally, though John Adams
had made a similar but unpublished prediction some months earlier. LeVerrier,
not one to avoid publicity, suggested that Uranus be renamed for Heschel,
the finder, and that the new discovery be named after himself. In the event,
man lost out to (Roman) god and the eighth planet was called Neptune.
Leverrier's other prediction, first made in 1845, was for a new innermost
planet, which became known as Vulcan. Searches
turned up nothing and we now know that the irregularities in Mercury's
orbit are an effect of general relativity.
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• ASTRONOMERS
AND ASTROPHYSICISTS
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