Famous Austrian Astronomers

Having lost his doctor father to an execution after he was charged with stealing from his patients, Georg Joachim Rheticus ditched his paternal surname. The Austrian-born mathematician is best remembered for his tables of trigonometric functions. He was also one of the first to propagate the Copernican heliocentric theory.

Georg von Peuerbach was an Austrian mathematician and astronomer, best known for reviving the views of the second-century astronomer, Ptolemy. Possibly educated in humanities, he later established a solid reputation in mathematics and astronomy, writing New Theories of the Planets. Published in 1454, it later became a university textbook, appearing in fifty Latin and vernacular editions by late 17th century.

Austrian astronomer Wilhelm von Biela is best remembered for proving that the Biela’s comet appeared once every 6.7 years. He had initially been part of the Austrian army but later drifted to astronomy. The minor planet 2281 Biela and a crater on the Moon were named in his honor.