Sherburne Wesley Burnham
American astronomer who catalogued thousands of double stars.
Sherburne Wesley Burnham was an American astronomer who devoted more than 50 years to observing the heavens, primarily focusing on binary stars. His extensive work as an amateur and professional astronomer led to the discovery of thousands of double star systems.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 12 December 1838
- Died
- 11 March 1921
Facts from the source article.
Biography
Sherburne Wesley Burnham came into the world in Thetford, Vermont, the child of Roswell O. Burnham and Marinda Foote Burnham. His formal education ended after he finished the local academy. He picked up shorthand on his own and, by 1858, was living in New York City. During the Civil War, he reported for the Union Army in New Orleans. There, he purchased Geography of the Heavens, a book that ignited his passion for astronomy. Following the war, he settled in Chicago, earning his living as a court reporter for more than two decades. He spent four years, from 1888 to 1892, as a professional astronomer at Lick Observatory. After leaving court reporting in 1902, he stayed in Chicago and worked at Yerkes Observatory from 1897 until 1914.
Double star discoveries
From 1872 to 1877, using a small 15 cm telescope, Burnham discovered 451 new double stars. He received assistance from Baron Dembowski, who measured exact positions and separations of these newly found binaries. In 1873–1874, Burnham produced a catalog of double stars and became a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He later published the General Catalogue of 1,290 Double Stars, and in 1906 the Burnham Double Star Catalogue, containing 13,665 pairs. He is credited with discovering 1,340 binary stars. Burnham also discovered the first example of what would later be called a Herbig–Haro object, known as Burnham's Nebula (HH 255).
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sherburne Wesley Burnham born?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham was born on 12 December 1838.
When did Sherburne Wesley Burnham die?
Sherburne Wesley Burnham died on 11 March 1921.
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