Abstract
THEODOR VON OPPOLZER, one of the most eminent of modern astronomers, died at Vienna on December 26, 1886. He was the only son of Johannes von Oppolzer, the famous pathologist of Vienna, and was born on October 26, 1841. In accordance with the wish of his father, he studied medicine, and took his doctor's degree in 1863. From early youth he had shown great interest in astronomy, and, soon after taking his degree, he caused an observatory to be built at his own expense, and resolved to devote himself wholly to his favourite science. In 1866 he began to lecture at the University of Vienna, on theoretical astronomy, and he was soon promoted to the position of full Professor in his department. In 1870 he was asked by his Government to take charge of the operations for determining the length of a degree in Austria, and to this task he applied himself with so much energy that all the necessary observations were by and by completed, although his results have not yet been published.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Theodor von Oppolzer . Nature 35, 224–225 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/035224f0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035224f0