Luigi Carnera (born in Trieste April 14, 1875, died in Florence, July 30, 1962) was an Italian astronomer and mathematician. He discovered 16 minor planets in the early 20th century.[1] The main-belt asteroid 39653 Carnera was named in his honour.[2]

Luigi Carnera
Luigi Carnera
Born(1875-04-14)14 April 1875
Died30 June 1962(1962-06-30) (aged 87)
NationalityItalian
Known forDiscovery of asteroids
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy, Mathematics
InstitutionsTrieste Observatory, Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte
Minor planets discovered: 16 [1]
466 Tisiphone 17 January 1901 list[A]
469 Argentina 20 February 1901 list
470 Kilia 21 April 1901 list
472 Roma 11 July 1901 list
476 Hedwig 17 August 1901 list
477 Italia 23 August 1901 list
478 Tergeste 21 September 1901 list
479 Caprera 12 November 1901 list
480 Hansa 21 May 1901 list[A]
481 Emita 12 February 1902 list
485 Genua 7 May 1902 list
486 Cremona 11 May 1902 list
487 Venetia 9 July 1902 list
488 Kreusa 26 June 1902 list[A]
489 Comacina 2 September 1902 list
808 Merxia 11 October 1901 list
A co-discovered with Max Wolf

In his early career he worked as Max Wolf's assistant at Heidelberg, Germany he discovered a number of asteroids. He worked in Germany, Italy and Argentina before returning to Italy for good in 1908.

He was director of Trieste Observatory starting in 1919; Trieste had just been annexed to Italy following World War I. He then became director of Capodimonte Observatory in Naples starting in 1932 and until his retirement in 1950. In 1943 during World War II, the observatory was temporarily occupied by American and British troops in order to install a radar station.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  2. ^ "39653 Carnera (1995 UC)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 June 2016.

External links edit

  • "Luigi Carnera". Stardust: the cultural heritage of Italian astronomy (in Italian).