Julien Péridier (1882 – April 19, 1967) was a Frenchelectrical engineer andamateur astronomer. For his work he was made an Officer of theLegion of Honour. In 1933 he founded a privateobservatory atLe Houga (Gers),France. After his death, his library and instruments were acquired by theMcDonald Observatory at theUniversity of Texas for use in teachingastronomy.
The double 8-inch (200 mm)refracting telescope at Le Houga was used extensively for studies of theplanets and the teaching of young astronomers.
In 1959 his observatory was part of an observational campaign regarding anoccultation ofRegulus byVenus. The team ofHarvard observers at Le Houga was led byGérard de Vaucouleurs, who had previously collaborated with Mr. Péridier on studies at the observatory. The success of the 1959 work started a five-year collaboration withNASA onphotometry of theMoon and planets using a 12-inch (300 mm)reflector.
He was married toAdrienne Blanc-Péridier, who was an accomplished author of one-act plays, romanticnovels, andbiographies.
Acrater onMars is named in his honor.
   | This article about a French astronomer is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
