Marie-Jeanne de Lalande facts for kids
Marie-Jeanne-Amélie Le Francais de Lalande, born Marie-Jeanne Harlay (1768–November 8, 1832), was a talented French astronomer and mathematician. She was known for her important work in astronomy during a time when few women were involved in science.
Her Life Story
Marie-Jeanne-Amélie Harlay married Michel Lefrançois de Lalande in 1788. He was her father's young cousin and also an astronomer. Her uncle was the famous astronomer and writer Jérôme Lalande. He thought very highly of Marie-Jeanne-Amélie because she was so good at math.
Her father taught both Marie-Jeanne-Amélie and her husband how to do astronomical calculations and observations. She worked very closely with her father and helped him with many of his published works.
Her skills in science were well-known. A famous story tells that in 1806, the mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss said he only knew one French woman who worked in science: Madame Le François de Lalande. This shows how respected she was.
Marie-Jeanne-Amélie de Lalande passed away in 1832 when she was 64 years old. Her daughter was named Caroline, after the astronomer Caroline Herschel. This was because Caroline's birthday, January 20, 1790, was the first day a comet discovered by Herschel could be seen from Paris. Her son was named after the famous scientist Isaac Newton.
Her Amazing Work
Marie-Jeanne-Amélie de Lalande calculated the Tables horaires de marine. These were important tables for sailors that helped them find their way. They were published in her father's book, Abrégé de navigation historique théorique et pratique avec tables horaires (1793). Her calculations were so good that her father received an award for them.
Her work also appeared in her father's yearly almanac, from 1794 to 1806. An almanac is a book published every year with facts and figures, often including astronomical information.
In 1799, she created a huge catalog of 10,000 stars. This was a very detailed list of star positions.
In 1791, her knowledge of astronomy was so impressive that she was asked to guide the son of the famous astronomer Jean Dominique Cassini during his first observation at the College de France.
She also helped write L'Histoire céleste française, which was published in 1801. This book, written by her uncle Lalande, listed the positions of an incredible 50,000 stars.
Her Legacy
A large impact crater on the planet Venus is named de Lalande (crater) in her honor. This shows how important her contributions to astronomy were.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Marie-Jeanne-Amélie Lefrançais de Lalande, born Harlay (1768-1832)
See also
In Spanish: Marie-Jeanne de Lalande para niños
