Karl Ludwig Harding | |
|---|---|
 Harding byEdme Quenedey | |
| Born | (1765-09-29)29 September 1765 |
| Died | 31 August 1834(1834-08-31) (aged 68) |
| Alma mater | University of Göttingen |
| Known for | 3 Juno, astronomical discoveries |
| Awards | Lalande Prize |
Karl Ludwig Harding (29 September 1765 – 31 August 1834) was a Germanastronomer, who discoveredJuno, the thirdasteroid of themain-belt in 1804.
Harding was born inLauenburg. From 1786–1789, he was educated at theUniversity of Göttingen, where he studied theology, mathematics, and physics.[1] In 1796,Johann Hieronymus Schröter hired Harding as a tutor for his son. Schröter was an enthusiastic astronomer and owner of a well-equipped observatory inLilienthal nearBremen, where Harding was soon appointed observer and inspector.
In 1800, he was among the 24 astronomers invited to participate in thecelestial police, a group dedicated to finding additional planets in theSolar System. As part of the group, in 1804, Harding discovered Juno at Schröter's observatory. In the next year he left Lilienthal, where his successor becameFriedrich Wilhelm Bessel, as he was appointed extraordinary professor of astronomy at theUniversity of Göttingen, since 1812 as ordinary professor. He worked atGöttingen Observatory, since 1807 as colleague ofCarl Friedrich Gauss, until his sudden death in 1834.[2][1]
In addition to Juno, he discovered threecomets and the variable starsR Virginis,R Aquarii,R Serpentis andS Serpentis.[3] Furthermore, he found some newnebulae,[4] among them being theHelix Nebula or "the Eye of God". His main opus was the Atlas novus coelestis, the first star atlas without splendid but confusing mythological figures.
Harding was corresponding member of theRoyal Academy of Sciences in Göttingen since 1803 and full member since 1806,[5] corresponding member of theFrench Academy of Sciences since 1810,[6] elected as member of theRoyal Society in London in 1806,[7] and associate member of theRoyal Astronomical Society since 1821.[8] From the government he was awarded the title "Hofrath" (Councillor of the court).[9]
In 1804, he was awarded theLalande Prize.[10]
The lunar craterHarding and the asteroid2003 Harding are named in his honor.[11]
| 3 Juno | 1 September 1804 | MPC |
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