Francesco de Vico
Encyclopedia
Father Francesco de Vico (also known as de Vigo) (Macerata,May 19, 1805 – November 15, 1848) was an Italian astronomer
at Vatican Observatory
, and also a Jesuit priest
. His name is also written De Vico and even DeVico.
He discovered or co-discovered a number of comet
s, including periodic comets 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT
and 122P/de Vico
. He also independently discovered the comet (C/1847 T1
) that brought fame to Maria Mitchell
as "Miss Mitchell's Comet", two days after she did. The news did not reach Europe before Father De Vico announced his observation, so it was initially named for him. He received the award from the Danish
king, who had offered a prize for the first comet discovered through a telescope
(prior to this time, all comet discoveries were ones that could be seen by the unaided eye). Mitchell was later recognized and awarded a medal as well.
He also made observations of Saturn
and the gaps in its rings (he was the first to see the narrow division in the rings of Saturn
now known as the Keeler Gap after James Keeler), and unsuccessfully attempted to determine the rotation period of Venus
.
He found a remarkable number of comets in a relatively short time, and began an ambitious project to compile an atlas of stars down to 11th magnitude
. However, the Revolutions of 1848 in the Italian states cut short his observing career, as he was forced into exile, touring Paris
, London
, and the United States
, where he was received by the President. He was pleased with his reception in the U.S. and wished to settle there at Georgetown College
, but first returned to Europe to try to recruit some colleagues to join him. Unfortunately, worn out from the travel, he died in London in November of that same year.
The lunar crater De Vico
and the asteroid 20103 de Vico
are named after him.
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
at Vatican Observatory
Vatican Observatory
The Vatican Observatory is an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See. Originally based in Rome, it now has headquarters and laboratory at the summer residence of the Pope in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and an observatory at the Mount Graham International...
, and also a Jesuit priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. His name is also written De Vico and even DeVico.
He discovered or co-discovered a number of comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
s, including periodic comets 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT
54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT
54P/de Vico–Swift–NEAT is a periodic comet in the solar system first discovered by Father Francesco de Vico on August 23, 1844. It has become a lost comet several times after its discovery.- First Discovery :...
and 122P/de Vico
122P/de Vico
122P/de Vico is a short-period comet. It was discovered by Francesco de Vico in Rome on February 20, 1846.- External links :*...
. He also independently discovered the comet (C/1847 T1
C/1847 T1
Miss Mitchell's Comet was a comet that was discovered by American astronomer Maria Mitchell. It was at first credited to Francesco de Vico who, although he discovered it two days later than she, was the first to report it in Europe, since he was observing from Rome...
) that brought fame to Maria Mitchell
Maria Mitchell
Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer, who in 1847, by using a telescope, discovered a comet which as a result became known as the "Miss Mitchell's Comet". She won a gold medal prize for her discovery which was presented to her by King Frederick VII of Denmark. The medal said “Not in vain do...
as "Miss Mitchell's Comet", two days after she did. The news did not reach Europe before Father De Vico announced his observation, so it was initially named for him. He received the award from the Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
king, who had offered a prize for the first comet discovered through a telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
(prior to this time, all comet discoveries were ones that could be seen by the unaided eye). Mitchell was later recognized and awarded a medal as well.
He also made observations of Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
and the gaps in its rings (he was the first to see the narrow division in the rings of Saturn
Rings of Saturn
The rings of Saturn are the most extensive planetary ring system of any planet in the Solar System. They consist of countless small particles, ranging in size from micrometres to metres, that form clumps that in turn orbit about Saturn...
now known as the Keeler Gap after James Keeler), and unsuccessfully attempted to determine the rotation period of Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...
.
He found a remarkable number of comets in a relatively short time, and began an ambitious project to compile an atlas of stars down to 11th magnitude
Apparent magnitude
The apparent magnitude of a celestial body is a measure of its brightness as seen by an observer on Earth, adjusted to the value it would have in the absence of the atmosphere...
. However, the Revolutions of 1848 in the Italian states cut short his observing career, as he was forced into exile, touring Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he was received by the President. He was pleased with his reception in the U.S. and wished to settle there at Georgetown College
Georgetown College
Georgetown College is a small, private liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Kentucky, United States. Chartered as a college in 1829, Georgetown College was the first Baptist college west of the Allegheny Mountains...
, but first returned to Europe to try to recruit some colleagues to join him. Unfortunately, worn out from the travel, he died in London in November of that same year.
The lunar crater De Vico
De Vico (crater)
De Vico is a small lunar impact crater that is located in the southwest part of the Moon, to the south of the crater Sirsalis. To the west-northwest is Crüger. De Vico is a circular, bowl-shaped formation with a small, flat bottom at the mid-point. To the northwest is the lava-flooded remains of De...
and the asteroid 20103 de Vico
20103 de Vico
20103 de Vico is a main-belt asteroid discovered on May 6, 1995 by R. Calanca at Cavezzo.- External links :*...
are named after him.
Obituary
See also
- Comet de VicoComet de Vicode Vico is the name of several comets discovered by Father Francesco de Vico, a Jesuit priest. - See also :* 54P/de Vico-Swift-NEAT, discovered 1844 August 23* 122P/de Vico, discovered 1846 February 20* C/1845 D1 * C/1846 B1...
- List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics