ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
PARASKEVOPOULOS, John Stefanos [Dr]
Professional
Astronomer
Born: 20 June 1889, Greece
Died:15 March 1961
Index:
Director of Boyden Observatory (1923 - 1951)
-Arequipa (Astronomer in charge 1923 - 1927)
-Bloemfontein (1927 - 1951)
Summary:
John Stefanos Paraskevopoulos was born in Greece on 20 June 1889. He was a graduate of Athens University, a corresponding member of the Greek Academy, and also a Knight of the Order of Phoenix - as well as being a noted astrophysicist.
In 1923 Dr John Stefanos Paraskevopoulos had become astronomer in charge of the first Boyden Observatory in Arequipa, Peru. In July 1927 he came to Mazelspoort (Bloemfontein, South Africa), together with his wife, who was also an astronomer. They made the final survey of the qualities of the terrain as a proper site for the new Boyden Observatory.
The first equipment was shipped over at once and the first observations from the new Boyden station were made in September 1927.
Paraskevopoulos was officially appointed Director.
Paraskevopoulus remained Director until 1951; his was a long and highly successful regime.
No official Director was appointed after Paraskevopoulos's retirement & subsequent death on 15 March 1961.
Career:
Graduated at Athens University.
Member of the Greek Academy.
1923 - 1927: Astronomer in Charge (Director) of Boyden Observatory, Arequipa.
1927 - 1951: Director of Boyden Observatory, Bloemfontein.
1951: Retired.
Honours bestowed upon Paraskevopoulos:
-Knight of the Order of Phoenix
Personal:
1889 June 20: Born in Greece.
1951: Retired.
1961 March 15: Died
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources.
Bibliography:
Moore, P. & Collins, P., Astronomy in Southern Africa, p.122. (General Source)
Smits, P., A Brief History of Astronomy in Southern Africa. (Unpublished)
By Paraskevopoulos:
Related
Internal Links:
Boyden
Observatory.
Link to Objects Lost and / or Found.
Link to a short History of Astronomy in Southern Africa.
Link to a Time Line to see how Events on this page relates to the bigger time dimension.
Link to view the Achievements and other Interesting Aspects of Southern African Astronomers.
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources and the Archive.
Director Historical Section: Chris de Coning - siriusa@absamail.co.za
Webmaster: Christian Hettlage - webmaster@assa.saao.ac.za