Anders Planman Anders Planman Anders Planman (1724 – 25 April 1803) was a Finnish astronomer, professor of physics and mathematician. He was one of the first people to make systematical astronomical observations in Finland. Planman came from a Swedish-speaking Finnish family and his father was a lieutenant. He studied at the Royal Academy of Turku from 1744 to 1754 and then continued his studies at Uppsala University. In 1756 he received the grade of docent in astronomy. In 1763 he was appointed professor of physics in Turku and retained the position until 1801, when he quit due to poor health. For three
Thomas Henderson (astronomer) Thomas Henderson (astronomer) Thomas Henderson FRSE FRS FRAS (28 December 1798 – 23 November 1844) was a Scottish astronomer and mathematician noted for being the first person to measure the distance to Alpha Centauri, the major component of the nearest stellar system to Earth, the first to determine the parallax of a fixed star, and for being the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Born in Dundee, he was educated at the High School of Dundee, after which he trained as a lawyer, working his way up through the profession as an assistant to a variety of nobles. However, his major