Giovanni Battista Amici | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Amici byMichele Gordigiani | |
| Born | (1786-03-25)25 March 1786 |
| Died | 10 April 1863(1863-04-10) (aged 77) |
| Alma mater | University of Bologna |
| Occupation(s) | Astronomer,microscopist, botanist |
| Known for | Amici prism Amici roof prism |
Giovanni Battista Amici (Italian:[dʒoˈvannibatˈtistaaˈmiːtʃi]; 25 March 1786 – 10 April 1863) was an Italianastronomer,microscopist, andbotanist.
Amici was born inModena, in present-dayItaly. He studied mathematics in his hometown underPaolo Ruffini.[1] After graduating from theUniversity of Bologna, he became professor ofmathematics at Modena, and in 1831 was appointed inspector-general of studies in theDuchy of Modena. A few years later he was chosen director of theobservatory atFlorence, where he also lectured at the museum ofnatural history.[2]
His name is best known for the improvements he effected in the mirrors ofreflecting telescopes and especially in the construction of themicroscope.[3] He invented thedipleidoscope and also thedirect vision prism.
He was also a diligent and skillful observer, and busied himself not only with astronomical subjects, such as thedouble stars, thesatellites ofJupiter and the measurement of thepolar andequatorialdiameters of thesun, but also withbiological studies of the circulation of the sap in plants, the fructification of plants,infusoria etc.[2] He was the first to observe thepollen tube.[4]
Amici died in Florence on 10 April 1863. The craterAmici on theMoon is named in his honour.
The standardauthor abbreviationAmici is used to indicate this person as the author whenciting abotanical name.[5]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Amici, Giovanni Battista".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 854.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
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