Jacobus Kapteyn
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For the Dutch-Ghanaian minister, see Jacobus Capitein.
Prof Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn FRS FRSE LLD (19 January 1851 ā 18 June 1922) was a Dutch astronomer. He carried out extensive studies of the Milky Way. He found that the apparent movement of stars was not randomly distributed but had two preferential directions: the two star streams. This discovery was later reinterpreted as evidence for galactic rotation. Kapteyn also suggested that these stellar velocities could be used to find the amount of non-luminous matter in the galaxy.[1]
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn | |
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Born | (1851-01-19)19 January 1851 |
Died | 18 June 1922(1922-06-18) (aged 71) |
Nationality | Netherlands |
Alma mater | University of Utrecht |
Known for | discovery of evidence for galactic rotation |
Awards | Bruce Medal 1913 |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Astronomy |
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