Giorgio Abetti
Encyclopedia
Giorgio Abetti was an Italian
solar
astronomer
.
He was born in Padua
, the son of noted astronomer Antonio Abetti
. He was educated at the Universities of Padua
and of Rome
.
He began his career at the Collegio Romano observatory
in Rome as an assistant astronomer. In 1921 he succeeded his father as the director of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, and continued until 1957. Starting at the same time he was also a professor at the University of Florence
, and continued in this capacity until 1957.
Giorgio Abetti is noted for having led expeditions to observe solar eclipse
s to Siberia (1936) and Sudan
(1952). He was also a visiting professor at the University of Cairo in 1948–49. He was the vice president of the International Astronomical Union
in 1938, and received the Medaglia d'argento from the Italian Geographic Society (1915), the Premio reale from the Accademia dei Lincei
(1925), and the Janssen medal (1937).
The crater Abetti
on the Moon
and asteroid
2646 Abetti
are named to honor both him and his father.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
solar
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
astronomer
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...
.
He was born in Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, the son of noted astronomer Antonio Abetti
Antonio Abetti
Antonio Abetti was an Italian astronomer.Born in San Pietro di Gorizia , he earned a degree in mathematics and engineering at the University of Padua. Later he became director of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri and a professor at the University of Florence...
. He was educated at the Universities of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
and of Rome
University of Rome La Sapienza
The Sapienza University of Rome, officially Sapienza – Università di Roma, formerly known as Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza", is a coeducational, autonomous state university in Rome, Italy...
.
He began his career at the Collegio Romano observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
in Rome as an assistant astronomer. In 1921 he succeeded his father as the director of the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, and continued until 1957. Starting at the same time he was also a professor at the University of Florence
University of Florence
The University of Florence is a higher study institute in Florence, central Italy. One of the largest and oldest universities in the country, it consists of 12 faculties...
, and continued in this capacity until 1957.
Giorgio Abetti is noted for having led expeditions to observe solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
s to Siberia (1936) and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
(1952). He was also a visiting professor at the University of Cairo in 1948–49. He was the vice president of the International Astronomical Union
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
in 1938, and received the Medaglia d'argento from the Italian Geographic Society (1915), the Premio reale from the Accademia dei Lincei
Accademia dei Lincei
The Accademia dei Lincei, , is an Italian science academy, located at the Palazzo Corsini on the Via della Lungara in Rome, Italy....
(1925), and the Janssen medal (1937).
The crater Abetti
Abetti (crater)
Abetti is a lunar crater that has been completely submerged by mare lavas. It forms a 'ghost crater' in the surface, showing only a curved rise where the rim is located. Abetti is located near the southeast edge of Mare Serenitatis, to the west of the Mons Argaeus. This crater is generally visible...
on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
and asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
2646 Abetti
2646 Abetti
2646 Abetti is a main belt asteroid discovered on March 13, 1977 by Chernykh, N. at Nauchnyj.-References:...
are named to honor both him and his father.