Anders Donner (November 5, 1854 – April 15, 1938)[1] was a professor of astronomy at the University of Helsinki observatory between 1883 and 1915. Before that, he served as a docent of astronomy between 1881–83. He was the rector of the university between 1911 and 1915 and acting chancellor 1917–1919 and 1921–1926.[2]

Anders Donner and his wife Elin Donner, 1889

Under the leadership of Donner, the observatory participated in the international star directory and star map project "Carte du Ciel". The star directory photograph work began in 1890 in Helsinki and it was ready in 1937. The Helsinki directory contains about 285,000 stars, their luminance and precise positions. Donner donated most of the work to the university.[3]

The crater Donner on the far side of the Moon and the asteroid 1398 Donnera are named after him.

Educational offices
Preceded by Rector of Imperial Alexander University
1911–1915
Succeeded by

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Hockey, Thomas (2009). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-387-31022-0. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Anders Donner". Uppslagsverket Finland (in Swedish). Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Donner, Anders (1854 - 1938)". National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 9 May 2020.