James Edward Keeler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Edward Keeler
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James Edward Keeler
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| Born | September 10, 1857 |
| Died | August 12, 1900 (aged 42) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Astrophysical Journal Rings of Saturn astrophotography |
| Awards | Henry Draper Medal (1899) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | Lick Observatory Allegheny Observatory |
James Edward Keeler (born September 10, 1857 – died August 12, 1900) was an important American astronomer. He was one of the first scientists to study galaxies using photography. Keeler also made a big discovery about the rings of Saturn. He showed that they are not solid, but made of many small pieces.
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Life and Work
James Keeler was born in La Salle, Illinois. He spent most of his early life growing up in Mayport, Florida, near Jacksonville.
Working at Observatories
Keeler started working at the Lick Observatory in 1888. This observatory is famous for its large telescopes. In 1891, he became the director of the Allegheny Observatory at the University of Pittsburgh. He returned to Lick Observatory as its director in 1898. Sadly, he passed away not long after, in 1900.
Keeler had a heart problem that was not known until shortly before he died. He passed away suddenly from a stroke. His ashes were buried at the Allegheny Observatory. They are at the base of the 31-inch Keeler Memorial telescope.
Founding a Journal
Along with another famous astronomer, George Hale, Keeler helped start a science magazine. It was called the Astrophysical Journal. This journal is still a very important publication for astronomers today.
Keeler got married in 1891. He left behind his wife and two children when he died.
Amazing Discoveries
James Keeler made several important discoveries in astronomy. He used powerful telescopes and new methods like photography.
Saturn's Rings
Keeler was the first to see a gap in Saturn's rings on January 7, 1888. He used the 36-inch refractor telescope at Lick Observatory. This gap is now known as the Encke Gap. Another major gap in Saturn's A Ring was later named the Keeler Gap in his honor. This was discovered by the Voyager spacecraft.
In 1895, Keeler studied the rings of Saturn using a special tool called a spectrograph. He found that different parts of the rings moved at different speeds. This was because of something called the Doppler effect. This discovery proved that Saturn's rings are made up of countless small objects. Each object orbits Saturn at its own speed. This idea had been suggested by James Clerk Maxwell. Keeler's observations were the first time it was proven.
Studying Nebulae
Keeler also used the Lick Crossley telescope. His work helped show how important large reflecting telescopes are for studying space. He greatly improved our understanding of nebulae. Nebulae are huge clouds of gas and dust in space. After he died, his friends at Lick Observatory published his amazing photographs of nebulae and star clusters.
| 452 Hamiltonia | December 6, 1899 | |
| (20958) A900 MA | June 29, 1900 |
Discovering Asteroids
Keeler discovered two minor planets. One was the asteroid 452 Hamiltonia in 1899. It belongs to the Koronis family of asteroids. The other was the Mars-crosser asteroid (20958) A900 MA in 1900. This asteroid was lost for 99 years before it was found again.
Crab Nebula Pulsar
In 1967, scientists discovered pulsars. These are rapidly spinning neutron stars that send out beams of radiation. Scientists used optical images of the Crab Nebula taken by Keeler in 1899. These old images helped them figure out how the Crab Pulsar was moving.
Honors and Legacy
James Keeler received many awards and honors for his contributions to astronomy.
He was given the Henry Draper Medal in 1899 by the National Academy of Sciences. In 1900, he was elected president of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
In 1880, Keeler joined a scientific trip to Mount Whitney. This trip was led by Samuel Pierpont Langley. They wanted to study how the Sun's light was absorbed by Earth's atmosphere. They compared results from high altitudes with those from lower areas. Because of this trip, a 14,240-foot peak near Mount Whitney was named the "Keeler Needle."
Besides the Keeler gap in Saturn's rings, other things in space are named after him. These include the Martian crater Keeler, the lunar crater Keeler, and the asteroid 2261 Keeler.
See also
In Spanish: James Edward Keeler para niños
