George Phillips Bond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Phillips Bond
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| Born | May 20, 1825 Dorchester, Boston, MA, U.S.
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| Died | February 17, 1865 (aged 39) Cambridge, MA, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA, 1845) (MS, 1853) |
| Known for | astrophotography |
| Awards | Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1865) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | astronomy |
| Institutions | Harvard College Observatory |
George Phillips Bond (born May 20, 1825 – died February 17, 1865) was an American astronomer. An astronomer is a scientist who studies stars, planets, and space. George followed in the footsteps of his father, William Cranch Bond, who was also a famous astronomer.
George became the director of the Harvard College Observatory in 1859. He led the observatory until he passed away. His work helped us learn a lot about the universe.
Contents
Amazing Discoveries in Space
George Phillips Bond made many important discoveries. He was a pioneer in using photography to study space. This field is called astrophotography.
First Star Photos
- In 1850, George took the very first photograph of a star. This star was named Vega.
- Later, in 1857, he captured the first photo of a double star. This was the star Mizar.
- He also suggested that photography could be used to measure how bright a star appears. This is called its apparent magnitude.
Exploring Saturn and Comets
George Bond and his father worked together. They discovered Hyperion, one of Saturn's moons. Another astronomer, William Lassell, also found Hyperion around the same time.
George also spent time studying the beautiful Orion Nebula. He discovered many comets and figured out their paths through space. These paths are called their orbits.
Mapping Mountains
Besides his work in space, George Bond also surveyed the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Surveying means making detailed maps of an area.
Honors and Legacy
George Phillips Bond received many honors for his work. He helped us understand the universe better.
- He won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1865. This is a very important award for astronomers.
- Several places in the White Mountains are named after him. These include Mount Bond, West Bond, and Bondcliff.
- Two craters are named in his honor:
- The Bond albedo is named after him. This term helps scientists describe how much light a planet reflects.
- A region on Saturn's moon Hyperion is called the "Bond-Lassell Dorsum."
- An Asteroid called (767) Bondia is named after both him and his father.
- A gap in Saturn's C Ring is called the Bond Gap. It is also named after him and his father.
George Phillips Bond passed away in 1865 from tuberculosis.
See also
In Spanish: George Phillips Bond para niños
