Giovanni Schiaparelli

Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli (March 14,1835 – July 4,1910) was an Italian astronomer. He studied at the University of Turin and Berlin Observatory and worked for over forty years at Brera Observatory.

Related Topics:
March 14 - 1835 - July 4 - 1910 - Italian - Astronomer - University of Turin - Berlin Observatory - Brera

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He observed objects in the solar system, and after observing Mars he named the seas and continents. Beginning in 1877 he also believed he had observed long straight features he called canali in Italian, meaning "channels" but famously mistranslated as "canals". Many decades later these canals of Mars were definitively shown to be an optical illusion.

Related Topics:
Solar system - Mars - 1877 - Canals of Mars - Optical illusion

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He was also the first to demonstrate that the Perseid and Leonid meteor showers were associated with comets.

Related Topics:
Perseid - Leonid - Meteor shower - Comet

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His niece Elsa Schiaparelli became a fabled couturier.

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