Anders Planman also calculated the correct longitude for six locations on the way, among them Kajaani, Mikkeli and Hämeenlinna. He could do this partly because he used surveying tools for his astronomical observations; these were some of the most exact contemporary measuring tools. The minor planet 2639 Planman is named after 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
Christian Mayer (astronomer) of mathematics and physics at Heidelberg. By this age, however, he had developed a strong interest in astronomy. He was appointed Court Astronomer at Mannheim, and was tasked with selecting the instruments for the new observatories at Schwetzingen and Mannheim. With these completed, he was able to pursue his astronomical studies, and published numerous works. In 1769 he was invited to St. Petersburg to observe the transit of Venus, which he did together with Anders Johan Lexell. In 1773, the Jesuit order was dissolved by Pope Clement XIV, and consequently he was removed as Court Astronomer. However he was still