Robert Luther

Karl Theodor Robert Luther (April 16, 1822, Świdnica – February 15, 1900 Düsseldorf), normally published as Robert Luther, was a German astronomer. While working at the Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf, Germany, he searched for asteroids and discovered 24 of them between 1852 and 1890.[1][2] Seven times Lalande Prize winner.

Robert Luther
Born	(1822-04-16)April 16, 1822 Świdnica, Poland
Died	February 15, 1900(1900-02-15) (aged 77) Düsseldorf, Germany
Known for	discovery of 24 asteroids
Awards	Lalande Prize (1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1859, 1860 and 1861)
Scientific career
Academic advisors	Johann Franz Encke

Royal Medal to commemorate the 100th Asteroid, showing Astronomers John Russel Hind, Hermann Goldschmidt and Robert Luther, 1869

Biography

Karl Theodor Robert Luther was born on April 16, 1822 to August Luther and Wilhelmine von Ende. He was home schooled and studied in the local high school. In 1841, he moved to Breslau where he studied until 1843.[3]

In 1843 Luther moved to Berlin to study astronomy. He was a student of Johann Franz Encke and helped him in his astronomical calculations and creating the astronomical almanac. In 1850 he became a second observer. In 1851, Franz Brünnow invited Luther to the Düsseldorf-Bilk Observatory to become a director of the observatory after him. [3]

Luther married Caroline (nee Marker) and they had one son, William. Luther died in 1900 after a short illness in Düsseldorf. [3]

Discoveries

Luther discovered 24 of them between 1852 and 1890.[1][2]

Two of his discoveries are now known to have unusual properties: 90 Antiope, a binary asteroid with equal components, and the extremely slow-rotating 288 Glauke.

Asteroids discovered: 24[1]

17 Thetis	April 17, 1852
26 Proserpina	May 5, 1853
28 Bellona	March 1, 1854
35 Leukothea	April 19, 1855
37 Fides	October 5, 1855
47 Aglaja	September 15, 1857
50 Virginia^[1]	October 19, 1857
53 Kalypso	April 4, 1858
57 Mnemosyne	September 22, 1859
58 Concordia	March 24, 1860
68 Leto	April 29, 1861
71 Niobe	August 13, 1861
78 Diana	March 15, 1863
82 Alkmene	November 27, 1864
84 Klio	August 25, 1865
90 Antiope	October 1, 1866
95 Arethusa	November 23, 1867
108 Hecuba	April 2, 1869
113 Amalthea	March 12, 1871
118 Peitho	March 15, 1872
134 Sophrosyne	September 27, 1873
241 Germania	September 12, 1884
247 Eukrate	March 14, 1885
258 Tyche	May 4, 1886
288 Glauke	February 20, 1890
^1 discovered independently 15 days after James Ferguson, but reported first

Honors and awards

The asteroid 1303 Luthera and the lunar crater Luther were named in his honour.[2][4]

He was awarded the Lalande Prize seven times, in 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1859, 1860 and 1861.

Royal Astronomical Society Fellow since June 1854.[5]

In 1869, a commemorative medal honoring the discovery of the 100th asteroid shows the profiles of John Russel Hind, Hermann Goldschmidt and Robert Luther.[6]

References

1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
2. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(1303) Luthera". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1303) Luthera. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 107. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_1304. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
3. Plicht C.A. (2014). Luther, Karl Theodor Robert. In: Hockey T. et al. (eds) Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer, New York, NY.
4. "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature – Planetary Names: Crater, craters: Luther on Moon". International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN). Retrieved 23 March 2016.
5. Royal Astronomical Society (1899). "List of the Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Spottiswoode & Company., digitized=13 Jul 2010
6. "Mr. Bishop's Observatory". The Illustrated London News. 55: 368,372. October 9, 1869.