Pierre Méchain
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Summary
Pierre Méchain was born on August 16, 1744[1], in Laon[2]. He died on September 20, 1804[3], in Castellón de la Plana[4]. He worked as an astronomer[5], cartographer[6], engineer[7], mathematician[8], and physicist[9]. He ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (660 views/month, #7,251 of 1,000,298).[10]
Key Facts
- Place of burial: Parc Ribalta[11]
- Child: Jérôme Isaac Méchain[12]
- Country of citizenship: France[13]
- Ethnic group: French[14]
- Field of work: mathematics[15], geodesy[16], astronomy[17]
- Position held: director[18]
- Employer: Bureau des Longitudes[19], Dépot général de la Marine[20]
- Educated at: Paris Observatory, PSL University[21], École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées[22]
- Notable work: Arc measurement of Delambre and Méchain[23]
- Award received: Fellow of the Royal Society[24]
- Member of: Royal Society[25], French Academy of Sciences[26], Bureau des Longitudes[27], Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony[28]
- Sex or gender: male[29]
- Commons category: Pierre Méchain[30]
- Cause of death: yellow fever[31]
- Family name: Méchain[32]
- Given name: Pierre[33]
- Topic's main category: Category:Pierre Méchain[34]
- Commons gallery: Pierre Méchain[35]
- Work location: Paris[36]
- Student of: Jérôme Lalande[37]
- Manner of death: natural causes[38]
- Partner in business or sport: Jean-Baptiste Joseph Delambre[39]
- Described by source: Nordisk familjebok[40], The Measure of All Things[41], Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[42], Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 4th edition (1885–1890)[43]
- Languages spoken, written or signed: French[44]
- Commons Creator page: Pierre Méchain[45]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for Pierre Méchain include 21785 Méchain[46].
Why It Matters
Pierre Méchain has Wikipedia articles in 26 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[47] He is known by 66 alternative names across languages and contexts.[48]
He is credited with the discovery of Sombrero Galaxy[49], an edge-on galaxy[50]; Pinwheel Galaxy[51], an interacting galaxy[52]; Comet Encke[53], an Encke-type comet[54]; Messier 77[55], a barred spiral galaxy[56]; Messier 74[57], a grand design spiral galaxy[58]; and Messier 78[59], a reflection nebula[60]. Entities named for him include 21785 Méchain[46].
FAQs
Where was Pierre Méchain born?
Pierre Méchain's place of birth was Laon[2].
Where did Pierre Méchain die?
Pierre Méchain passed away in Castellón de la Plana[4].
What did Pierre Méchain do for work?
Pierre Méchain worked as an astronomer[5], cartographer[6], engineer[7], mathematician[8], and physicist[9].
Where did Pierre Méchain go to school?
Pierre Méchain was educated at Paris Observatory, PSL University[21] and École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées[22].
What awards did Pierre Méchain receive?
Honors received include Fellow of the Royal Society[24].
What did Pierre Méchain discover?
Pierre Méchain is credited as discoverer of Sombrero Galaxy[49], Pinwheel Galaxy[51], Comet Encke[53], and Messier 77[55].