Giovanni Domenico Cassini

Mathematician and astronomer, Cassini's law

Giovanni Domenico Cassini - Mathematician and astronomer, Cassini's law
Born

June 8th, 1625
400 years ago

Died

September 14th, 1712
313 years ago — 87 years old

Category

Scientists & Innovators

Country

Italy/France

Links & References

An Italian-French mathematician and astronomer contributed significantly to the study of astronomy and mathematics during the 17th century. Cassini served as the director of the Paris Observatory and was involved in many important astronomical discoveries. He accurately determined the rotation periods of Jupiter and Mars and discovered four moons of Saturn. Cassini also introduced the Cassini Division, a gap in Saturn's rings, named after him, showcasing his detailed observations.

Measured the distance from Earth to Mars

Discovered the moons of Saturn: Iapetus, Rhea, Tethys, and Dione

Contributed to the development of the parabolic trajectory in rocket science

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