Urbain Le Verrier: Biography, Facts and Career
Who is Urbain Le Verrier? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.
Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier (French: [yʁbɛ̃ ʒɑ̃ ʒozɛf lə vɛʁje]; 11 March 1811 – 23 September 1877) was a French astronomer and mathematician who specialized in celestial mechanics and is best known for predicting the existence and position of Neptune using only mathematics. The calculations were made to explain discrepancies with Uranus's orbit and the laws of Kepler and Newton. Le Verrier sent the coordinates to Johann Gottfried Galle in Berlin, asking him to verify. Galle found Neptune the same night he received Le Verrier's letter, within 1° of the predicted position. The discovery of Neptune is widely regarded as a dramatic validation of celestial mechanics, and is one of the most remarkable moments of 19th-century science.
Quick facts about Urbain Le Verrier
- Full name: Urbain Le Verrier
- Born: 1811-03-11
- Nationality: France
- Known as: Author
- Wikidata ID: Q104154
Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Urbain Le Verrier?
Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier (French: [yʁbɛ̃ ʒɑ̃ ʒozɛf lə vɛʁje]; 11 March 1811 – 23 September 1877) was a French astronomer and mathematician who specialized in celestial mechanics and is best known for predicting the existence and position of Neptune using only mathematics. The calculations were made to explain discrepancies with Uranus's orbit and the laws of Kepler and Newton.
What nationality is Urbain Le Verrier?
Urbain Le Verrier is France.
When was Urbain Le Verrier born?
Urbain Le Verrier was born on 1811-03-11.
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