Adriaan van Maanen
Astronomer, discovered spiral galaxies

Born
March 31st, 1884
140 years ago
Died
January 26th, 1946
79 years ago — 61 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
Netherlands
Links & References
Contributions included extensive research in astronomy, particularly the study of spiral galaxies. Developed methods for measuring the distances to nebulae. Published several significant papers that advanced the understanding of the structure of galaxies. Worked at Mount Wilson Observatory and later became a professor at the California Institute of Technology.
Identified and classified spiral galaxies
Developed techniques for measuring nebular distances
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