NEVIL MASKELYNE

BIRTH AND DEATH

Birth: 10/6/1732     Death: 2/9/1811

OCCUPATION

scientist

BIOGRAPHY SUMMARY

Nevil Maskelyne was the fifth British Astronomer Royal. He held the office from 1765 to 1811. He was the first person to scientifically measure the mass of the planet Earth. He created The Nautical Almanac, in full the British Nautical Almanac and Astronomical Ephemeris for the Meridian of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich using Tobias Mayer's corrections for Euler's Lunar Theory tables.

NOTABLE WORK

WHY THEY MATTER

Nevil Maskelyne's groundbreaking intellectual achievement was his scientific measurement of the mass of the Earth, a significant contribution to the field of astronomy. Additionally, his creation of The Nautical Almanac, incorporating Tobias Mayer's corrections for Euler's Lunar Theory tables, revolutionized navigation and maritime astronomy, showcasing his innovative approach to practical applications of scientific knowledge. Maskelyne's meticulous work as the British Astronomer Royal from 1765 to 1811 solidified his legacy as a pioneering figure in the field of astronomy.

FAMOUS QUOTE

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