Hevelius project
Johannes and Elizabeth Hevelius – The Stars of Gdansk
Introduction
Did you know that in the 17th century, a couple in Gdansk looked up at the sky and uncovered the secrets of the universe? Johannes and Elizabeth Hevelius were astronomers who revolutionized science and left their mark on the stars!
Who was Joahnes Hevelius?
- Born in 1611 in Gdansk, he ran the family brewery.
- However, his true passion was observing the stars.
- He built one of the most advanced observatories on the roof of his house.
- He collaborated with great scholars, such as Edmund Halley.
- He discovered several new constellations, including Sextans.
Elizabeth Hevelius – the first female astronomer
- She was Jan’s second wife and assisted him in research.
- She kept detailed notes and made precise measurements.
- After her husband’s death, she published his last book – „Firmamentum Sobiescianum.”
- Recognized as one of the first female astronomers in history!
Great discoveries and tragedies
- Jan Heweliusz created detailed maps of the Moon and catalogued over 1,500 stars!
- In 1679, a fire destroyed his house and observatory. He lost many notes, but he never gave up and continued his work.
The Hevelius Heritage
- To this day, we can admire the constellations they discovered.
- There is a monument of Jan Heweliusz in Gdansk, and many places bear his name.
- Elżbieta Heweliusz is a symbol of women in science.
Conclusion
Thanks to their passion and determination, Jan and Elżbieta Heweliusz made history in astronomy. When we look at the stars, we should remember that they studied the very same sky!
Johannes Hevelius had several connections with Oxford and the United Kingdom:
- Collaboration with the Royal Society – Heweliusz was in contact with English scholars and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1664. This was a great honour and recognition of his contributions to astronomy.
- Correspondence with Edmond Halley – Heweliusz maintained correspondence with Edmond Halley, one of the most famous British astronomers, who later became known for predicting the return of Halley’s Comet.
- Debate with Robert Hooke – Heweliusz engaged in a scientific debate with Robert Hooke, a leading scientist of the Royal Society. The dispute revolved around the accuracy of astronomical observations made with and without telescopic sights.
- Influence on British Astronomy – His work on lunar mapping and star cataloguing influenced British astronomy and was referenced by later scholars in Oxford and beyond.
Fun Facts about Johannes and Elizabeth Hevelius
Johannes Hevelius – Brewer and Astronomer!
Did you know that Johannes Hevelius was not only an astronomer but also a brewer? He owned a brewery in Gdansk, inherited from his father. You could say he was brewing both beer and stars!
Elizabeth Hevelius – The First Female Astronomer!
Elizabeth was an extraordinary woman for her time. She helped her husband with observations and took detailed notes. After his death, she continued his work, making her one of the first female astronomers in history!
The Largest Observatory in Europe!
The Hevelius had one of the largest astronomical observatories in Europe on the roof of their house in Gdansk! Imagine giant telescopes and huge instruments for studying the sky on top of a townhouse!
New Constellations!
Johannes Hevelius discovered several new constellations that are still on star maps today, including Sextans, named after one of his astronomical instruments.
A Fire That Destroyed Years of Work…
In 1679, a great fire burned down Heweliusz’s house and observatory, destroying many valuable notes and instruments. But despite this tragedy, he never gave up and continued his research!
Letters to Kings and Scholars!
Johannes and Elizabeth corresponded with the most important scholars and rulers of their time, including King Louis XIV of France and astronomer Edmond Halley (yes, the one from Halley’s Comet!).
The Hevelius Heritage
- To this day, we can admire the constellations they discovered.
- There is a monument of Jan Heweliusz in Gdansk, and many places bear his name.
- Elizabeth Hevelius is a symbol of women in science.
Conclusion
Thanks to their passion and determination, Johannes and Elizabeth Hevelius made history in astronomy. When we look at the stars, we should remember that they studied the very same sky!
Text Box: Quiz: Johannes and Elizabeth Hevelius Name: _________________________ Date: ___________________________
- True or False:
Mark „T” for true and „F” for false. - a) Jan Heweliusz was only an astronomer. __
b) Elżbieta Heweliusz was one of the first female astronomers. __
c) The Heweliuszes had their observatory in London. __
d) Jan Heweliusz discovered new constellations. __
e) A fire destroyed their observatory in 1679. __ - Multiple Choice:
Circle the correct answer. - a) What else did Jan Heweliusz do besides astronomy?
A) He was a doctor
B) He was a brewer
C) He was a musician - b) What did Elżbieta Heweliusz do after Jan’s death?
A) She stopped working in astronomy
B) She moved to France
C) She continued his work and published his book - c) What was the name of one of the constellations discovered by Jan Heweliusz?
A) Orion
B) Sextans
C) Ursa Major - Short Answer:
Write your answer in one sentence. - a) Where was Jan Heweliusz born?
- b) Who did Jan and Elżbieta write letters to?
Bonus Question:
Why do you think Elżbieta Heweliusz was an important figure in science?
