1611-1687

German Astronomer

Johannes Hevelius was the last astronomer of repute to carry out major observational work without a telescope. Though he rejected the use of telescopic sights for stellar observations and positional measurements, he did use telescopes to produce accurate maps of the Moon and is considered the father of lunar topography.

Hevelius was born in Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland) on January 28, 1611. He studied jurisprudence at the University of Leiden before touring Europe. Upon his return he worked in his father's brewery while preparing to enter public service. His occasional interest in astronomy developed into a serious occupation in 1639 when he began making systematic observations. For the rest of his life his time was split between managing the family brewery, civic service, and astronomical research.

Hevelius's first observatory was a small room atop his father's house. In 1644 he added a small roofed tower and later...