| FINSEN, “Bill” W S [Dr]
Professional Astronomer |
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| Famous for: Director of the Republic Observatory 1957 – 1965 Developed the Finsen Eyepiece Interferometer. Discovered 73 double stars. Took 54 000 photographs of Mars. These were considered to be the best photographs of Mars until the space probes became available. . Summary: Finsen became the director of the Republic Observatory in 1957. During his time as Director, the South African Government decided to close down the Republic Observatory and amalgamate all the astronomical services into what became the S.A.A.O. Finsen was ardently opposed to this decision (as were many other), but he could not stop the decision. |
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| History: “Van den Bos had been succeeded by Dr W. S. Finsen, who had devoted his life to the Observatory and who was yet another outstanding astronomer who specialised in double stars and in minor planet work. Finsen’s achievements matched those of any of his predecessors, and he was responsible for some vital improvements in instrumentation; he it was who developed what is called the eyepiece interferometer, a device which could be attached to a telescope to help in measuring very close double stars. Finsen found 73 new pairs, examined over 8 000 stars, and measured the orbital motions of many binaries. For this work, of course he used the 263-inch, generally with a magnification of 620. He also concentrated upon the photography of the planet Mars and obtained the best results available before the first space probe flew past the Red Planet in 1965. Finsen took 54 000 photographs of Mars altogether. There was yet another branch of research in which he was pre-eminent; his observations and predictions of the first artificial satellites made up a vital link in the chain.”[Copied from Collins p.104.] . Career: Director of the Republic Observatory 1957 – 1965 . Personal: He was a very good and much sought after public speaker. [Personal Communication with Peter Smits who knew him] |
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Link to the Telescope Manufacturers. |
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Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources. |
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| Remaining Artifacts: Finsen Eyepiece Interferometer.
Bibliography: By Finsen: External Link Remaining Artifacts: |
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| Related External Links: Fourth Interferometric Catalog : Third Speckle Catalog: Fourth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars: Simple Sun Compass: Obituary Notes: |
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Gallery
The object at the eyepiece is the interferometer desinged by Finsen.