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{{Short description|American astronomer (1867–1951)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientist
|name = Charles Dillon Perrine
| name = Charles Dillon Perrine
|image = Perrine.JPG
| image = Perrine.JPG
|caption = Charles Dillon Perrine
| caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date|1867|7|28}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1867|7|28}}
|birth_place = [[Steubenville]], [[Ohio]]
| birth_place = [[Steubenville]], [[Ohio]], U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1951|6|21|1867|7|28}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1951|6|21|1867|7|28}}
|death_place = [[Villa del Totoral]] (formerly Villa Gen. Mitre), [[Cordoba, Argentina]]
| death_place = [[Villa del Totoral|Villa Gen. Mitre]], [[Córdoba Province, Argentina|Cordoba, Argentina]]
⚫
| field = [[Astronomy]], [[astrophysics]], [[astrophotography]]
|residence =
⚫
| work_institutions = [[Lick Observatory]], [[Argentine National Observatory]]
|citizenship = United States
| alma_mater = Santa Clara College (honorary doctorate) (1905)
|nationality = American
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| doctoral_advisor =
|ethnicity =
⚫
| doctoral_students =
⚫
|field = [[Astronomy]], [[Astrophysics]], [[Astrophotography]]
⚫
| known_for = First attempts at light deflection test of relativity (1912 solar eclipse, Brazil; 1914 solar eclipse, Russia).<br />Discovery of sixth and seventh [[Moons of Jupiter]]: [[Himalia (moon)|Himalia]], [[Elara (moon)|Elara]]
⚫
|work_institutions = [[Lick Observatory]], [[Argentine National Observatory]] (today, [[Observatorio Astronomico Cordoba]])
|alma_mater = Santa Clara College (honorary doctorate) (today, [[Santa Clara University]]) (1905)
| spouse = Bell (Smith) Perrine (m. 1905)
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| prizes = [[Lalande Prize]] (1897)<br />Astronomical Society of Mexico Gold Medal (1905) <br />Donohoe Comet Medals (x5) from the [[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]] <br />[[Panama–Pacific International Exposition]] Gold Medal (1915)
⚫
|doctoral_advisor =
⚫
|doctoral_students =
⚫
|known_for = First attempts at light deflection test of relativity (1912 solar eclipse, Brazil; 1914 solar eclipse, Russia).<br/>Discovery of 6th and 7th [[Moons of Jupiter]]: [[Himalia (moon)|Himalia]], [[Elara (moon)|Elara]]
|spouse = Bell (Smith) Perrine (m. 1905)
|influences = [[William Wallace Campbell]]
|influenced =
⚫
|prizes = [[Lalande Prize]] (1897)<br/>Astronomical Society of Mexico Gold Medal (1905) <br/>Donohoe Comet Medals (x5) from the [[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]] <br/>[[Panama–Pacific International Exposition]] Gold Medal (1915)
|religion = Methodist
}}
}}
'''Charles Dillon Perrine''' (July 28, 1867 – June 21, 1951) was an [[astronomer]] at the [[Lick Observatory]] in California (1893-1909) who moved to [[Cordoba, Argentina]] to accept the position of Director of the [[Argentine National Observatory]] (1909-1936). The Cordoba Observatory under Perrine's direction made the first attempts to prove Einstein's theory of relativity by astronomical observation of the deflection of starlight near the Sun during the [[solar eclipse of October 10, 1912]] in [[Cristina (Brazil)]], and the [[solar eclipse of August 21, 1914]] at [[Feodosia]], Crimea, Russian Empire.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=Charles |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |issue=5249 |pages=281-284}}</ref> Rain in 1912 and clouds in 1914 obscured the eclipses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251 |page=63 |edition=First}}</ref>
'''Charles Dillon Perrine''' (July 28, 1867{{spnd}}June 21, 1951) was an American [[astronomer]] at the [[Lick Observatory]] in California (1893-1909) who moved to [[Cordoba, Argentina]] to accept the position of Director of the [[Argentine National Observatory]] (1909-1936). The Cordoba Observatory under Perrine's direction made the first attempts to prove Einstein's theory of relativity by astronomical observation of the deflection of starlight near the Sun during the [[solar eclipse of October 10, 1912]] in [[Cristina (Brazil)]], and the [[solar eclipse of August 21, 1914]] at [[Feodosia]], Crimea, Russian Empire.<ref name="Contribution to the history of atte">{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=Charles |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |issue=5249 |pages=281–284|doi=10.1002/asna.19232191706 |bibcode=1923AN....219..281P }}</ref> Rain in 1912 and clouds in 1914 prevented results.<ref name="Proving Einstein Right: The Daring">{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251 |page=63 |edition=First}}</ref>


In 1897 he was awarded the [[Lalande Prize]] and gold medal by the [[Paris Academy of Sciences]] given each year ″to the person who makes the most outstanding observation ... to further the progress of [[Astronomy]], in France or elsewhere.″<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schaeberle |first1=J. M. |title=Award of the Lalande Gold Medal to Assistant Professor C. D. Perrine, of the Lick Observatory |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1898 |volume=10 |issue=60 |page=40}}</ref>. He served as President of the [[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]] in 1902<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bobone |first1=Jorge |title=Dr. Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Popular Astronomy |date=1951 |volume=59 |page=388}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bobone |first1=Jorge |title=Charles D. Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=Oct 1951 |volume=63 |issue=374 |page=259}}</ref>, was elected an Associate of the [[Royal Astronomical Society]] in 1904<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=H. Spencer |title=Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |date=1952 |volume=112 |issue=3 |page=274 |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/112.3.273}}</ref>, and was awarded the gold medal of the Mexican Astronomical Society in 1905. In the same year he received the degree of Doctor of Sciences (honorary) from Santa Clara College (today [[Santa Clara University]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=April 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86-87 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40693024 |accessdate=June 15, 2020}}</ref>
In 1897 he was awarded the [[Lalande Prize]] and gold medal by the [[Paris Academy of Sciences]] given each year ″to the person who makes the most outstanding observation ... to further the progress of [[Astronomy]], in France or elsewhere.″.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schaeberle |first1=J. M. |title=Award of the Lalande Gold Medal to Assistant Professor C. D. Perrine, of the Lick Observatory |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1898 |volume=10 |issue=60 |page=40}}</ref> He served as president of the [[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]] in 1902,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bobone |first1=Jorge |title=Dr. Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Popular Astronomy |date=1951 |volume=59 |page=388}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bobone |first1=Jorge |title=Charles D. Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=Oct 1951 |volume=63 |issue=374 |page=259|doi=10.1086/126390 |bibcode=1951PASP...63..259B |s2cid=121026930 |doi-access=free }}</ref> was elected an Associate of the [[Royal Astronomical Society]] in 1904,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=H. Spencer |title=Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |date=1952 |volume=112 |issue=3 |page=274 |doi=10.1093/mnras/112.3.273 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and was awarded the gold medal of the Mexican Astronomical Society in 1905. In the same year he received the degree of Doctor of Sciences (honorary) from Santa Clara College (today [[Santa Clara University]].<ref name="Resignation of Astronomer Perrine">{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=April 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86–87 |doi=10.1086/121896 |jstor=40693024 |bibcode=1909PASP...21...86C |doi-access=free }}</ref>


== Biography ==
⚫
Charles was born in [[Steubenville, Ohio]], the son of Peter, a Methodist minister, and Elizabeth (McCauley) Perrine.<ref>‘U.S. Passport Application, American Embassy, Paris, France, 27 Oct. 1911’, “U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925”, Ancestry.com, retrieved May 2020</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite book|last=Leonard|first=John|title=Who's Who in America, Vol. II|year=1901|publisher=A. N. Marquis and Co.|location=Chicago, Illinois|page=885}}</ref> He was a descendant of [[Daniel Perrin]], "The [[Huguenot]]", and Maria Thorel whose marriage was the first (European) recorded in [[Elizabethtown, New Jersey]], (Feb. 18, 1666).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Perrine |first1=Howland Delano |title=Daniel Perrin, The Huguenot, 1665-1910 |date=1910 |publisher=Privately printed. |location=South Orange, N. J. |pages=221-222 |edition=First, No. 71 of 250.}}</ref> Following high school graduation in 1884<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Leonard |first1=John W. |title=Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Who's Who in America, A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of the United States |date=1901 |volume=II |page=885}}</ref>, he moved to [[Alameda, California]] in about 1886 and worked as a bookkeeper at [[Armour & Co.]], a meat-packing business in [[San Francisco]].
=== Early years ===
⚫
Charles was born in [[Steubenville, Ohio]], the son of Peter, a Methodist minister, and Elizabeth (McCauley) Perrine.<ref>‘U.S. Passport Application, American Embassy, Paris, France, October 27, 1911’, “U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925”, Ancestry.com, retrieved May 2020</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite book|last=Leonard|first=John|title=Who's Who in America, Vol. II|year=1901|publisher=A. N. Marquis and Co.|location=Chicago, Illinois|page=885}}</ref> He was a descendant of [[Daniel Perrin]], "The [[Huguenot]]", and Maria Thorel whose marriage was the first (European) recorded in [[Elizabethtown, New Jersey]], (Feb 18, 1666).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Perrine |first1=Howland Delano |title=Daniel Perrin, The Huguenot, 1665-1910 |date=1910 |publisher=Privately printed. |location=South Orange, N. J. |pages=221–222 |edition=First, No. 71 of 250.}}</ref> Following high school graduation in 1884,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Leonard |first1=John W. |title=Charles Dillon Perrine |journal=Who's Who in America, A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of the United States |date=1901 |volume=II |page=885}}</ref> he moved to [[Alameda, California]] in about 1886 and worked as a bookkeeper at [[Armour & Co.]], a meat-packing business in [[San Francisco]].


Interested in photography and astronomy from an early age<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251 |page=63 |edition=First}}</ref>, and unable to afford a college education, "he nevertheless looked forward to engaging in astronomical work".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=April 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86-87 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40693024 |accessdate=June 15, 2020}}</ref> Perrine responded to a general invitation to amateurs from E. S. Holden, the Director of the newly established Lick Observatory<ref>{{cite book |last1=Holden |first1=E. S. |title=Suggestions for observing the total eclipse of the sun on January 1, 1889 |date=1888 |publisher=Lick Observatory, University of California |pages=1-21}}</ref> (1888), to observe the total solar eclipse of Jan. 1, 1889 in Northern California. His report and photographs<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Holden |first1=E. S. |title=Reports on the Observations of the Total Eclipse of the Sun of Jan. 1, 1889 |journal=Contributions of Lick Observatory |date=1889 |volume=1 |page=188 |url=http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//full/1889CoLic...1....1H/0000008.000.html}}</ref> caught the attention of the Director who hired him as Secretary in 1893<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Neubauer |first1=F. J. |title=A Short History of the Lick Observatory, Part III (Conclusion) |journal=Popular Astronomy |date=1950 |volume=58 |pages=382-3}}</ref>. Holden agreed to Perrine's "fixed purpose of devoting his spare time to the study of astronomical and related subjects, by way of preparation for later observatory duties".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=Apr 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86-86}}</ref> As his experience, skills, and discoveries grew he was promoted to Secretary and Assistant Astronomer (1895)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=Apr 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86-87}}</ref>, Assistant Astronomer (1902)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lick Observatory |title=A Brief Account of the Lick Observatory of the University of California |date=1902 |publisher=Calif. State Printing Office |location=Calif. |edition=3rd}}</ref>, and Astronomer (1905)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=Apr 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86-86}}</ref>.
Interested in photography and astronomy from an early age,<ref name="Proving Einstein Right: The Daring"/> and unable to afford a college education, "he nevertheless looked forward to engaging in astronomical work".<ref name="Resignation of Astronomer Perrine"/> Perrine responded to a general invitation to amateurs in astronomy and photography from E. S. Holden, the Director of the newly established Lick Observatory<ref>{{cite book |last1=Holden |first1=E. S. |title=Suggestions for observing the total eclipse of the sun on January 1, 1889 |date=1888 |publisher=Lick Observatory, University of California |pages=1–21}}</ref> (1888), to observe the total solar eclipse of January 1, 1889 in Northern California. Perrine's report and photographs<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Holden |first1=E. S. |title=Reports on the Observations of the Total Eclipse of the Sun of Jan. 1, 1889 |journal=Contributions of Lick Observatory |date=1889 |volume=1 |page=188 |bibcode=1889CoLic...1....1H }}</ref> caught the attention of the Director who hired him as Secretary in 1893.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Neubauer |first1=F. J. |title=A Short History of the Lick Observatory, Part III (Conclusion) |journal=Popular Astronomy |date=1950 |volume=58 |pages=382–3}}</ref> Holden agreed to Perrine's "fixed purpose of devoting his spare time to the study of astronomical and related subjects, by way of preparation for later observatory duties".<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=April 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86|doi=10.1086/121896 |bibcode=1909PASP...21...86C |doi-access=free }}</ref>


=== Career ===
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From 1895-1902 Perrine discovered eight unexpected and four periodic comets including the co-discovery of the lost periodic [[comet]] [[18D/Perrine-Mrkos]] in 1896 (see list below).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title="Discovery of Comet g, 1896 (Perrine)", Notices from the Lick Observatory |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1896 |volume=9 |issue=954 |pages=39, 40}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=William W. |title=‘The Lick Observatory and Its Problems’ |journal=Overland Monthly |date=Sep 1902 |volume=XL |issue=3 |pages=326-27}}</ref> [[Antonín Mrkos]] later named the [[asteroid]] [[6779 Perrine]] after him. The lunar crater [[Perrine (crater)|Perrine]] is also named after him.
As his experience, skills, and discoveries grew he was promoted to Secretary and Assistant Astronomer (1895),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=W. W. |title=Resignation of Astronomer Perrine |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=April 10, 1909 |volume=21 |issue=125 |pages=86–87|doi=10.1086/121896 |bibcode=1909PASP...21...86C |doi-access=free }}</ref> Assistant Astronomer (1902),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lick Observatory |title=A Brief Account of the Lick Observatory of the University of California |date=1902 |publisher=Calif. State Printing Office |location=Calif. |edition=3rd}}</ref> and Astronomer (1905).<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


⚫
From 1895 to 1902 Perrine discovered eight unexpected and four periodic comets including the co-discovery of the lost periodic [[comet]] [[18D/Perrine-Mrkos]] in 1896 (see list below).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title="Discovery of Comet g, 1896 (Perrine)", Notices from the Lick Observatory |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1896 |volume=9 |issue=954 |pages=39, 40}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=William W. |title=The Lick Observatory and Its Problems |journal=Overland Monthly |date=Sep 1902 |volume=XL |issue=3 |pages=326–27}}</ref> [[Antonín Mrkos]] later named the [[asteroid]] [[6779 Perrine]] after him. The lunar crater [[Perrine (crater)|Perrine]] is also named after him.
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In 1904-05 he discovered the sixth and seventh [[natural satellite|moon]]s of [[Jupiter]], today known as [[Himalia (moon)|Himalia]] (December 3, 1904) and [[Elara (moon)|Elara]] (Feb 21, 1905) using telescopic photography (glass plate) with the 36-inch Crossley Reflector which he had recently rebuilt. At the time they were simply designated "Jupiter VI" and "Jupiter VII" and were given their present names in 1975.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=Discovery, Observations and Approximate Orbits of Two New Satellites of Jupiter |journal=Lick Observatory Bulletin |date=1905 |volume=3 |issue=78 |pages=129-131}}</ref> The first certain observations of Jupiter's moons (I - IV) were those published by Galileo Galilei in 1610.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Galilei, Galileo |first1=Trans. by Albert Van Helden (ed.) |title=Sidereus Nuncius |date=1989 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago & London |isbn=0-226-27903-0 |pages=114-16}}</ref> No additional moons were discovered until E. E. Barnard observed Amalthea (Jupiter V) in 1892.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barnard |first1=E. E. |title=Discovery and Observation of a Fifth Satellite to Jupiter |journal=Astronomical Journal |date=1892 |volume=12 |pages=81-85 |doi=10.1086/101715}}</ref>


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In 1904-05 he discovered the sixth and seventh [[natural satellite|moon]]s of [[Jupiter]], today known as [[Himalia (moon)|Himalia]] (December 3, 1904) and [[Elara (moon)|Elara]] (February 21, 1905) using telescopic photography (glass plate negatives) with the 36-inch Crossley Reflector which he had recently rebuilt. At the time they were simply designated "Jupiter VI" and "Jupiter VII" and were given their present names in 1975.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=Discovery, Observations and Approximate Orbits of Two New Satellites of Jupiter |journal=Lick Observatory Bulletin |date=1905 |volume=3 |issue=78 |pages=129–131|doi=10.5479/ADS/bib/1905LicOB.3.129P |bibcode=1905LicOB...3..129P }}</ref> The first certain observations of Jupiter's moons (I - IV) were those published by Galileo Galilei in 1610.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Galilei, Galileo |first1=Trans. by Albert Van Helden (ed.) |title=Sidereus Nuncius |date=1989 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago & London |isbn=0-226-27903-0 |pages=114–16}}</ref> No additional moons were discovered until E. E. Barnard observed Amalthea (Jupiter V) in 1892.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barnard |first1=E. E. |title=Discovery and Observation of a Fifth Satellite to Jupiter |journal=Astronomical Journal |date=1892 |volume=12 |pages=81–85 |doi=10.1086/101715|bibcode=1892AJ.....12...81B }}</ref>
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Perrine participated in four [[solar eclipse]] expeditions of the Lick Observatory: 1900 (Georgia, USA), 1901 (Sumatra), 1905 (Spain), and 1908 (Flint Island)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pearson, Orchiston, & Malville |title=Some Highlights of the Lick Observatory Solar Eclipse Expeditions |journal=Highlighting the History of Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region |date=2011 |volume=Jan. |pages=264-265 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-8161-5_14 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226278607_Some_Highlights_of_the_Lick_Observatory_Solar_Eclipse_Expeditions |accessdate=June 15, 2020}}</ref>, and was in charge of the one sent to [[Sumatra]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=The Lick Observatory-Crocker Expedition to Observe the Total Solar Eclipse of 1901, May 17-18 |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1901 |volume=13 |issue=81 |pages=187-204 |url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1901PASP...13..187P |accessdate=June 15, 2020}}</ref>. Also in 1901, he and [[George Ritchey]] observed the apparent [[superluminal motion]] in the nebulosity surrounding [[GK Persei|Nova Persei 1901]].<ref name=autogenerated1 />


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Perrine participated in four [[solar eclipse]] expeditions of the Lick Observatory: 1900 (Georgia, USA), 1901 (Sumatra), 1905 (Spain), and 1908 (Flint Island),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pearson, Orchiston, & Malville |title=Some Highlights of the Lick Observatory Solar Eclipse Expeditions |journal=Highlighting the History of Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region |series=Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings |date=2011 |volume=Jan. |pages=264–265 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-8161-5_14 |bibcode=2011ASSP...23..243P |isbn=978-1-4419-8160-8 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226278607 |access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref> and was in charge of the one sent to [[Sumatra]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=The Lick Observatory-Crocker Expedition to Observe the Total Solar Eclipse of 1901, May 17-18 |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |date=1901 |volume=13 |issue=81 |pages=187–204 |doi=10.1086/121444 |bibcode=1901PASP...13..187P |doi-access=free }}</ref> Also in 1901, he and [[George Ritchey]] observed the apparent [[superluminal motion]] in the nebulosity surrounding [[GK Persei|Nova Persei 1901]].<ref name=autogenerated1 />
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In 1909 he resigned from the Lick Observatory to accept the position of Director of the [[Argentine National Observatory]] (today, Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hodge |first1=John |title=Charles Dillon Perrine and the Transformation of the Argentine National Observatory |journal=Journal of the History of Astronomy |date=1997 |volume=8 |pages=12-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oac.uncor.edu/apache2-default/adminweb/html/WEB/Surf/M1SM4.html |title=Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba |publisher=Oac.uncor.edu |date=September 27, 1908 |accessdate=February 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228051720/http://www.oac.uncor.edu/apache2-default/adminweb/html/WEB/Surf/M1SM4.html |archivedate=February 28, 2012 }}</ref> at [[Cordoba, Argentina]] from 1909 until his retirement in 1936 at age 69.


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In 1909 he resigned from the Lick Observatory to accept the position of Director of the [[Argentine National Observatory]] (today, Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hodge |first1=John |s2cid=125077510 |title=Charles Dillon Perrine and the Transformation of the Argentine National Observatory |journal=Journal for the History of Astronomy |date=1997 |volume=8 |pages=12–25 |doi=10.1177/002182867700800102 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oac.uncor.edu/apache2-default/adminweb/html/WEB/Surf/M1SM4.html |title=Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba |publisher=Oac.uncor.edu |date=September 27, 1908 |access-date=February 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228051720/http://www.oac.uncor.edu/apache2-default/adminweb/html/WEB/Surf/M1SM4.html |archive-date=February 28, 2012 }}</ref> at [[Cordoba, Argentina]], a position which he held until his retirement in 1936 at age 69.
⚫
Perrine played an important role in the [[history of the theory of relativity]]. The Argentine National Observatory led by Perrine made the first attempt to test [[Albert Einstein]]'s Theory of Relativity by observing the deflection of star light near the Sun at a total solar eclipse.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251 |pages=42, 43, 46, 216 |edition=First }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bicak |first1=Jiri |title=Einstein in Prague: Relativity Then and Now |journal=General Relativity, Cosmology and Astrophysics |date=2014 |page=14, footnote#12}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stachel |first1=John |title=Eddington and Einstein |journal=The Prism of Science |date=May 31, 1986 |volume=2 |pages=225-250}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Earman & Glymour |title=Relativity and eclipses |journal=Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences |date=1980 |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=61}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kennefick |first1=Daniel |title=No Shadow of a Doubt: The 1919 Eclipse That Confirmed Einstein’s Theory of Relativity |date=2019 |publisher=Princeton University Press |location=New Jersey |isbn=978-0-691-18386-2 |page=29}}</ref> Perrine wrote, "The Cordoba Observatory made the first definite attempt to secure observations at an eclipse (that of 1912) for the relativity problem and that was done at the instigation of Dr. Freundlich."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=Charles |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |issue=5249 |pages=281-284}}</ref> Einstein, in 1905, had proposed his [[Theory of Special Relativity]] which predicted that gravity bent light. In 1911 Einstein wrote, "It would be urgently wished that astronomers take up the question here raised (gravitational light deflection near the Sun),...".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Einstein |first1=Albert |title=On the Influence of Gravitation on the Propagation of Light |journal=Annalen de Physik |date=1911 |volume=35 |pages=898-908}}</ref> Dr. [[Erwin Finlay-Freundlich]], a German astronomer and mathematician, took up Einstein's challenge and contacted Perrine in 1911 and 1912 to ask if he would undertake a test of light deflection near the Sun. Perrine agreed to add the test to his planned expedition to Cristina, Brazil to observe the total solar eclipse of Oct. 10, 1912.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |pages=281-284 |url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1923AN....219..281P}}</ref> [[William Wallace Campbell]], the Director of the [[Lick Observatory]], also encouraged Perrine to pursue the test and loaned him Lick's eclipse camera lenses.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |pages=281-284 |url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1923AN....219..281P |accessdate=May 17, 2020}}</ref> The Argentine National Observatory built the telescopes and readied the equipment at the observation site at Cristina, Brazil. Unfortunately, steady rain made visibility and therefore the test impossible. As Perrine put it, "We suffered a total eclipse instead of observing one".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paolantonio |first1=Santiago |title=Perrine, Freundlich, Eddington and the Theory of Relativity |url=https://historiadelaastronomia.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/pfe |website=Historia De La Astronomio |publisher=WordPress |accessdate=January 1, 2020}}</ref> While observational results were elusive in 1912, the expedition produced valuable instruments (telescopes, cameras, timers, etc.) and experience for the next eclipse in 1914 in Russia. Three observatories would organize expeditions and include light deflection in their programs for 1914; the Argentine National Observatory (Perrine), the Lick Observatory (Campbell), and the [[Berlin-Babelsberg Observatory]] (Freundlich).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251}}</ref>


⚫
Perrine played an early role in the [[history of general relativity]] and [[tests of general relativity]]. The Argentine National Observatory led by Perrine made the first attempt to test [[Albert Einstein]]'s Theory of Relativity by observing the deflection of star light near the Sun at a total solar eclipse.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251 |pages=42, 43, 46, 216 |edition=First }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bicak |first1=Jiri |title=Einstein in Prague: Relativity Then and Now |journal=General Relativity, Cosmology and Astrophysics |date=2014 |page=14, footnote#12|bibcode=2014grca.book...33B }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Stachel |first1=John |chapter=Eddington and Einstein |title=The Prism of Science |series=Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science |date=May 31, 1986 |volume=2 |pages=225–250|doi=10.1007/978-94-009-4566-1_18 |isbn=978-90-277-2161-7 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Earman & Glymour |title=Relativity and eclipses |journal=Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences |date=1980 |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=61|doi=10.2307/27757471 |jstor=27757471 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kennefick |first1=Daniel |title=No Shadow of a Doubt: The 1919 Eclipse That Confirmed Einstein's Theory of Relativity |date=2019 |publisher=Princeton University Press |location=New Jersey |isbn=978-0-691-18386-2 |page=29}}</ref> Perrine wrote, "The Cordoba Observatory made the first definite attempt to secure observations at an eclipse (that of 1912) for the relativity problem and that was done at the instigation of Dr. Freundlich."<ref name="Contribution to the history of atte"/> Einstein, in 1905, had proposed his [[Theory of Special Relativity]] which predicted that gravity bent light. In 1911 Einstein wrote, "It would be urgently wished that astronomers take up the question here raised (gravitational light deflection near the Sun),...".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Einstein |first1=Albert |title=On the Influence of Gravitation on the Propagation of Light |journal=Annalen der Physik |date=1911 |volume=35 |pages=898–908|doi=10.1002/andp.19113401005 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1424213 }}</ref> Dr. [[Erwin Finlay-Freundlich]], a German astronomer and mathematician, took up Einstein's challenge and contacted Perrine in 1911 and 1912 to ask if he would undertake a test of light deflection near the Sun. Perrine agreed to add the test to his planned expedition to Cristina, Brazil to observe the total solar eclipse of October 10, 1912.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite journal |last1=Perrine |first1=C. D. |title=Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations |journal=Astronomische Nachrichten |date=1923 |volume=219 |issue=17 |pages=281–284 |doi=10.1002/asna.19232191706 |bibcode=1923AN....219..281P }}</ref> [[William Wallace Campbell]], the Director of the [[Lick Observatory]], recognizing that Perrine would likely be the most experienced eclipse observer, also encouraged him to pursue the test and loaned him Lick's eclipse camera lenses with which Perrine had previous eclipse experience while at Lick.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> The Argentine National Observatory built the telescopes and readied the equipment at the observation site at Cristina, Brazil. Unfortunately, steady rain made visibility and therefore the test impossible. As Perrine put it, "We suffered a total eclipse instead of observing one".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paolantonio |first1=Santiago |title=Perrine, Freundlich, Eddington and the Theory of Relativity |url=https://historiadelaastronomia.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/pfe |website=Historia De La Astronomio |publisher=WordPress |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref> While observational results were elusive in 1912, the expedition produced valuable instruments (telescopes, cameras, timers, etc.) and experience for the next eclipse in 1914 in Russia. Three observatories would organize expeditions and include light deflection in their programs for 1914; the Argentine National Observatory (Perrine), the Lick Observatory (Campbell), and the [[Berlin-Babelsberg Observatory]] (Freundlich).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier |title=Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe |date=2019 |publisher=Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group) |location=New York |isbn=9781541762251}}</ref>
⚫
Perrine's photograph of the total [[solar eclipse of August 21, 1914]] was the first taken in an attempt to measure star light deflection near the Sun which effect was predicted by Einstein's [[Special Theory of Relativity]] in 1911. Thin clouds obscured the eclipse just enough to prevent accurate star observation. If these first attempts in Brazil in 1912 or Russia in 1914 had achieved results, they would have proven Einstein wrong because at that time (1911-1914) Einstein had predicted a light deflection of 0.87 arcseconds rather than the 1.75 arcseconds which he later calculated in 1915 with the [[General Theory of Relativity]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Paolantonio, Santiago |first1= & Edgardo Minniti |title=Cordoba Estelar |date=2013 |publisher=Observatorio Astronomico de la Universidad de Cordoba |location=Cordoba, Argentina |url=http://www.cordobaestelar.oac.uncor.edu/ |accessdate=July 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crispino & Paolantonio |first1=L.C.B. & S. |title=The first attempts to measure light deflection by the Sun |journal=Nature Astronomy |date=2020 |volume=4 |pages=6-9 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0995-5 |accessdate=July 6, 2020}}</ref>


⚫
Perrine's photograph of the total [[solar eclipse of August 21, 1914]] was the first taken in an attempt to measure star light deflection near the Sun which effect was predicted by Einstein's [[Special Theory of Relativity]] in 1911. Thin clouds obscured the eclipse just enough to prevent accurate star observation. If these first attempts in Brazil in 1912 or Russia in 1914 had achieved results, they would have proven Einstein wrong because at that time (1911-1914) Einstein had predicted a light deflection of 0.87 arcseconds rather than the 1.75 arcseconds which he later calculated in 1915 with the [[General Theory of Relativity]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Paolantonio, Santiago |first1= & Edgardo Minniti |title=Cordoba Estelar |date=2013 |publisher=Observatorio Astronomico de la Universidad de Cordoba |location=Cordoba, Argentina |url=http://www.cordobaestelar.oac.uncor.edu/ |access-date=July 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Crispino & Paolantonio |first1=L.C.B. & S. |s2cid=212986248 |title=The first attempts to measure light deflection by the Sun |journal=Nature Astronomy |date=2020 |volume=4 |pages=6–9 |doi=10.1038/s41550-019-0995-5 |arxiv=2004.11681 |bibcode=2020NatAs...4....6C |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0995-5 |access-date=July 6, 2020}}</ref>
⚫
Perrine pioneered the study of [[astrophysics]] in Argentina and promoted the construction of the 60-inch/1.54 m reflecting telescope at [[Bosque Alegre]] which was completed in 1942 after his retirement in 1936<ref>{{cite web |title=Estación Astrofísica de Bosque Alegre |url=http://www.oac.uncor.edu/EABA.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522015505/http://www.oac.uncor.edu/EABA.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 May 2013 |accessdate=15 June 2020}}</ref>. It would remain the largest telescope in South America until 1981 when Brazil built a 63-inch reflector.<ref>{{cite web |title=LNA - Telescopios |url=http://www.lna.br/opd/telescop/telescop.html |website=LNA - Telescopios |accessdate=15 June 2020}}</ref> After retirement he lived in Cordoba then in Villa General Mitre (originally and again [[Villa del Totoral, Argentina|Villa del Totoral]]) where he died. He is buried in the Cemetery del Salvador (Cementerio del Salvador) formerly called the ''Cementerio de Disidentes'' (cemetery of dissidents/non-catholics), in the city of [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cementerio del Salvador |url=https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2522901/cementerio-del-salvador |website=Find A Grave |publisher=Find A Grave |accessdate=14 May 2020}}</ref> His life was divided almost equally between the United States and Argentina (appx. 42 years in each).

⚫
Perrine pioneered the study of [[astrophysics]] in Argentina and promoted the construction of the 60-inch/1.54 m reflecting telescope at [[Bosque Alegre]] which was completed in 1942 after his retirement in 1936.<ref>{{cite web |title=Estación Astrofísica de Bosque Alegre |url=http://www.oac.uncor.edu/EABA.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522015505/http://www.oac.uncor.edu/EABA.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref> It would remain the largest telescope in South America until 1981 when Brazil built a 63-inch reflector.<ref>{{cite web |title=LNA - Telescopios |url=http://www.lna.br/opd/telescop/telescop.html |website=LNA - Telescopios |access-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722091530/http://www.lna.br/opd/telescop/telescop.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> After retirement he lived first in Cordoba city and next in Villa General Mitre (originally and again [[Villa del Totoral]]) where he died. He is buried in the Cementerio del Salvador (Cemetery of the Savior) formerly called the ''Cementerio de Disidentes'' (cemetery of dissidents/non-Catholics), in the city of [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]].


==Comets discovered or co-discovered==
==Comets discovered or co-discovered==
*C/1895 W1 (Perrine)<ref name="Comets">{{cite book|author=Kronk, Gary W.|title=Cometography: A Catalog of Comets|volume=vol. 2: 1800–1899|chapter=Comet Designation Index, years 1892–1899|page=837|year=2003|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5XXjVF8fuGkC&pg=PA837|isbn=978-0521585057}}</ref>
*C/1895 W1 (Perrine)<ref name="Comets">{{cite book|author=Kronk, Gary W.|title=Cometography: A Catalog of Comets|volume=2: 1800–1899|chapter=Comet Designation Index, years 1892–1899|page=837|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5XXjVF8fuGkC&pg=PA837|isbn=978-0521585057}}</ref>
*C/1896 C1 (Perrine-Lamp)<ref name=Comets/>
*C/1896 C1 (Perrine-Lamp)<ref name=Comets/>
*C/1896 V1 (Perrine)<ref name=Comets/>
*C/1896 V1 (Perrine)<ref name=Comets/>
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[[Category:20th-century Argentine astronomers]]
[[Category:Argentine astronomers]]
[[Category:American emigrants to Argentina]]
[[Category:American emigrants to Argentina]]
[[Category:19th-century astronomers]]
[[Category:19th-century American astronomers]]
[[Category:20th-century astronomers]]
[[Category:20th-century American astronomers]]
[[Category:Discoverers of comets]]
[[Category:Discoverers of comets]]
[[Category:Discoverers of moons]]
[[Category:Discoverers of moons]]
[[Category:20th-century American scientists]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Lalande Prize]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Lalande Prize]]

{{US-astronomer-stub}}
{{Argentina-scientist-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:53, 4 May 2024

Charles Dillon Perrine
Born(1867-07-28)July 28, 1867
Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJune 21, 1951(1951-06-21) (aged 83)
Villa Gen. Mitre, Cordoba, Argentina
Alma materSanta Clara College (honorary doctorate) (1905)
Known forFirst attempts at light deflection test of relativity (1912 solar eclipse, Brazil; 1914 solar eclipse, Russia).
Discovery of sixth and seventh Moons of Jupiter: Himalia, Elara
SpouseBell (Smith) Perrine (m. 1905)
AwardsLalande Prize (1897)
Astronomical Society of Mexico Gold Medal (1905)
Donohoe Comet Medals (x5) from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Panama–Pacific International Exposition Gold Medal (1915)
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy, astrophysics, astrophotography
InstitutionsLick Observatory, Argentine National Observatory

Charles Dillon Perrine (July 28, 1867 – June 21, 1951) was an American astronomer at the Lick Observatory in California (1893-1909) who moved to Cordoba, Argentina to accept the position of Director of the Argentine National Observatory (1909-1936). The Cordoba Observatory under Perrine's direction made the first attempts to prove Einstein's theory of relativity by astronomical observation of the deflection of starlight near the Sun during the solar eclipse of October 10, 1912 in Cristina (Brazil), and the solar eclipse of August 21, 1914 at Feodosia, Crimea, Russian Empire.[1] Rain in 1912 and clouds in 1914 prevented results.[2]

In 1897 he was awarded the Lalande Prize and gold medal by the Paris Academy of Sciences given each year ″to the person who makes the most outstanding observation ... to further the progress of Astronomy, in France or elsewhere.″.[3] He served as president of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 1902,[4][5] was elected an Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1904,[6] and was awarded the gold medal of the Mexican Astronomical Society in 1905. In the same year he received the degree of Doctor of Sciences (honorary) from Santa Clara College (today Santa Clara University.[7]

Biography

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Charles was born in Steubenville, Ohio, the son of Peter, a Methodist minister, and Elizabeth (McCauley) Perrine.[8][9] He was a descendant of Daniel Perrin, "The Huguenot", and Maria Thorel whose marriage was the first (European) recorded in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, (Feb 18, 1666).[10] Following high school graduation in 1884,[11] he moved to Alameda, California in about 1886 and worked as a bookkeeper at Armour & Co., a meat-packing business in San Francisco.

Interested in photography and astronomy from an early age,[2] and unable to afford a college education, "he nevertheless looked forward to engaging in astronomical work".[7] Perrine responded to a general invitation to amateurs in astronomy and photography from E. S. Holden, the Director of the newly established Lick Observatory[12] (1888), to observe the total solar eclipse of January 1, 1889 in Northern California. Perrine's report and photographs[13] caught the attention of the Director who hired him as Secretary in 1893.[14] Holden agreed to Perrine's "fixed purpose of devoting his spare time to the study of astronomical and related subjects, by way of preparation for later observatory duties".[15]

Career

[edit]

As his experience, skills, and discoveries grew he was promoted to Secretary and Assistant Astronomer (1895),[16] Assistant Astronomer (1902),[17] and Astronomer (1905).[15]

From 1895 to 1902 Perrine discovered eight unexpected and four periodic comets including the co-discovery of the lost periodic comet 18D/Perrine-Mrkos in 1896 (see list below).[18][19] Antonín Mrkos later named the asteroid 6779 Perrine after him. The lunar crater Perrine is also named after him.

In 1904-05 he discovered the sixth and seventh moons of Jupiter, today known as Himalia (December 3, 1904) and Elara (February 21, 1905) using telescopic photography (glass plate negatives) with the 36-inch Crossley Reflector which he had recently rebuilt. At the time they were simply designated "Jupiter VI" and "Jupiter VII" and were given their present names in 1975.[20] The first certain observations of Jupiter's moons (I - IV) were those published by Galileo Galilei in 1610.[21] No additional moons were discovered until E. E. Barnard observed Amalthea (Jupiter V) in 1892.[22]

Perrine participated in four solar eclipse expeditions of the Lick Observatory: 1900 (Georgia, USA), 1901 (Sumatra), 1905 (Spain), and 1908 (Flint Island),[23] and was in charge of the one sent to Sumatra.[24] Also in 1901, he and George Ritchey observed the apparent superluminal motion in the nebulosity surrounding Nova Persei 1901.[9]

In 1909 he resigned from the Lick Observatory to accept the position of Director of the Argentine National Observatory (today, Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba)[25][26] at Cordoba, Argentina, a position which he held until his retirement in 1936 at age 69.

Perrine played an early role in the history of general relativity and tests of general relativity. The Argentine National Observatory led by Perrine made the first attempt to test Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity by observing the deflection of star light near the Sun at a total solar eclipse.[27][28][29][30][31] Perrine wrote, "The Cordoba Observatory made the first definite attempt to secure observations at an eclipse (that of 1912) for the relativity problem and that was done at the instigation of Dr. Freundlich."[1] Einstein, in 1905, had proposed his Theory of Special Relativity which predicted that gravity bent light. In 1911 Einstein wrote, "It would be urgently wished that astronomers take up the question here raised (gravitational light deflection near the Sun),...".[32] Dr. Erwin Finlay-Freundlich, a German astronomer and mathematician, took up Einstein's challenge and contacted Perrine in 1911 and 1912 to ask if he would undertake a test of light deflection near the Sun. Perrine agreed to add the test to his planned expedition to Cristina, Brazil to observe the total solar eclipse of October 10, 1912.[33] William Wallace Campbell, the Director of the Lick Observatory, recognizing that Perrine would likely be the most experienced eclipse observer, also encouraged him to pursue the test and loaned him Lick's eclipse camera lenses with which Perrine had previous eclipse experience while at Lick.[33] The Argentine National Observatory built the telescopes and readied the equipment at the observation site at Cristina, Brazil. Unfortunately, steady rain made visibility and therefore the test impossible. As Perrine put it, "We suffered a total eclipse instead of observing one".[34] While observational results were elusive in 1912, the expedition produced valuable instruments (telescopes, cameras, timers, etc.) and experience for the next eclipse in 1914 in Russia. Three observatories would organize expeditions and include light deflection in their programs for 1914; the Argentine National Observatory (Perrine), the Lick Observatory (Campbell), and the Berlin-Babelsberg Observatory (Freundlich).[35]

Perrine's photograph of the total solar eclipse of August 21, 1914 was the first taken in an attempt to measure star light deflection near the Sun which effect was predicted by Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity in 1911. Thin clouds obscured the eclipse just enough to prevent accurate star observation. If these first attempts in Brazil in 1912 or Russia in 1914 had achieved results, they would have proven Einstein wrong because at that time (1911-1914) Einstein had predicted a light deflection of 0.87 arcseconds rather than the 1.75 arcseconds which he later calculated in 1915 with the General Theory of Relativity.[36][37]

Perrine pioneered the study of astrophysics in Argentina and promoted the construction of the 60-inch/1.54 m reflecting telescope at Bosque Alegre which was completed in 1942 after his retirement in 1936.[38] It would remain the largest telescope in South America until 1981 when Brazil built a 63-inch reflector.[39] After retirement he lived first in Cordoba city and next in Villa General Mitre (originally and again Villa del Totoral) where he died. He is buried in the Cementerio del Salvador (Cemetery of the Savior) formerly called the Cementerio de Disidentes (cemetery of dissidents/non-Catholics), in the city of Córdoba.

Comets discovered or co-discovered

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Perrine, Charles (1923). "Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations". Astronomische Nachrichten. 219 (5249): 281–284. Bibcode:1923AN....219..281P. doi:10.1002/asna.19232191706.
  2. ^ a b Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier (2019). Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe (First ed.). New York: Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group). p. 63. ISBN 9781541762251.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Schaeberle, J. M. (1898). "Award of the Lalande Gold Medal to Assistant Professor C. D. Perrine, of the Lick Observatory". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 10 (60): 40.
  4. ^ Bobone, Jorge (1951). "Dr. Charles Dillon Perrine". Popular Astronomy. 59: 388.
  5. ^ Bobone, Jorge (October 1951). "Charles D. Perrine". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 63 (374): 259. Bibcode:1951PASP...63..259B. doi:10.1086/126390. S2CID 121026930.
  6. ^ Jones, H. Spencer (1952). "Charles Dillon Perrine". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 112 (3): 274. doi:10.1093/mnras/112.3.273.
  7. ^ a b Campbell, W. W. (April 10, 1909). "Resignation of Astronomer Perrine". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 21 (125): 86–87. Bibcode:1909PASP...21...86C. doi:10.1086/121896. JSTOR 40693024.
  8. ^ ‘U.S. Passport Application, American Embassy, Paris, France, October 27, 1911’, “U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925”, Ancestry.com, retrieved May 2020
  9. ^ a b Leonard, John (1901). Who's Who in America, Vol. II. Chicago, Illinois: A. N. Marquis and Co. p. 885.
  10. ^ Perrine, Howland Delano (1910). Daniel Perrin, The Huguenot, 1665-1910 (First, No. 71 of 250. ed.). South Orange, N. J.: Privately printed. pp. 221–222.
  11. ^ Leonard, John W. (1901). "Charles Dillon Perrine". Who's Who in America, A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of the United States. II: 885.
  12. ^ Holden, E. S. (1888). Suggestions for observing the total eclipse of the sun on January 1, 1889. Lick Observatory, University of California. pp. 1–21.
  13. ^ Holden, E. S. (1889). "Reports on the Observations of the Total Eclipse of the Sun of Jan. 1, 1889". Contributions of Lick Observatory. 1: 188. Bibcode:1889CoLic...1....1H.
  14. ^ Neubauer, F. J. (1950). "A Short History of the Lick Observatory, Part III (Conclusion)". Popular Astronomy. 58: 382–3.
  15. ^ a b Campbell, W. W. (April 10, 1909). "Resignation of Astronomer Perrine". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 21 (125): 86. Bibcode:1909PASP...21...86C. doi:10.1086/121896.
  16. ^ Campbell, W. W. (April 10, 1909). "Resignation of Astronomer Perrine". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 21 (125): 86–87. Bibcode:1909PASP...21...86C. doi:10.1086/121896.
  17. ^ Lick Observatory (1902). A Brief Account of the Lick Observatory of the University of California (3rd ed.). Calif.: Calif. State Printing Office.
  18. ^ Perrine, C. D. (1896). ""Discovery of Comet g, 1896 (Perrine)", Notices from the Lick Observatory". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 9 (954): 39, 40.
  19. ^ Campbell, William W. (September 1902). "The Lick Observatory and Its Problems". Overland Monthly. XL (3): 326–27.
  20. ^ Perrine, C. D. (1905). "Discovery, Observations and Approximate Orbits of Two New Satellites of Jupiter". Lick Observatory Bulletin. 3 (78): 129–131. Bibcode:1905LicOB...3..129P. doi:10.5479/ADS/bib/1905LicOB.3.129P.
  21. ^ Galilei, Galileo, Trans. by Albert Van Helden (ed.) (1989). Sidereus Nuncius. Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press. pp. 114–16. ISBN 0-226-27903-0. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ Barnard, E. E. (1892). "Discovery and Observation of a Fifth Satellite to Jupiter". Astronomical Journal. 12: 81–85. Bibcode:1892AJ.....12...81B. doi:10.1086/101715.
  23. ^ Pearson, Orchiston, & Malville (2011). "Some Highlights of the Lick Observatory Solar Eclipse Expeditions". Highlighting the History of Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings. Jan.: 264–265. Bibcode:2011ASSP...23..243P. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-8161-5_14. ISBN 978-1-4419-8160-8. Retrieved June 15, 2020.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Perrine, C. D. (1901). "The Lick Observatory-Crocker Expedition to Observe the Total Solar Eclipse of 1901, May 17-18". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 13 (81): 187–204. Bibcode:1901PASP...13..187P. doi:10.1086/121444.
  25. ^ Hodge, John (1997). "Charles Dillon Perrine and the Transformation of the Argentine National Observatory". Journal for the History of Astronomy. 8: 12–25. doi:10.1177/002182867700800102. S2CID 125077510.
  26. ^ "Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba". Oac.uncor.edu. September 27, 1908. Archived from the original on February 28, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  27. ^ Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier (2019). Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe (First ed.). New York: Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group). pp. 42, 43, 46, 216. ISBN 9781541762251.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Bicak, Jiri (2014). "Einstein in Prague: Relativity Then and Now". General Relativity, Cosmology and Astrophysics: 14, footnote#12. Bibcode:2014grca.book...33B.
  29. ^ Stachel, John (May 31, 1986). "Eddington and Einstein". The Prism of Science. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science. Vol. 2. pp. 225–250. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-4566-1_18. ISBN 978-90-277-2161-7.
  30. ^ Earman & Glymour (1980). "Relativity and eclipses". Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences. 11 (1): 61. doi:10.2307/27757471. JSTOR 27757471.
  31. ^ Kennefick, Daniel (2019). No Shadow of a Doubt: The 1919 Eclipse That Confirmed Einstein's Theory of Relativity. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-691-18386-2.
  32. ^ Einstein, Albert (1911). "On the Influence of Gravitation on the Propagation of Light". Annalen der Physik. 35: 898–908. doi:10.1002/andp.19113401005.
  33. ^ a b Perrine, C. D. (1923). "Contribution to the history of attempts to test the theory of relativity by means of astronomical observations". Astronomische Nachrichten. 219 (17): 281–284. Bibcode:1923AN....219..281P. doi:10.1002/asna.19232191706.
  34. ^ Paolantonio, Santiago. "Perrine, Freundlich, Eddington and the Theory of Relativity". Historia De La Astronomio. WordPress. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  35. ^ Gates, S. James, Jr., and Cathie Pelletier (2019). Proving Einstein Right: The Daring Expeditions That Changed How We Look at the Universe. New York: Public Affairs (Hachette Book Group). ISBN 9781541762251.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Paolantonio, Santiago, & Edgardo Minniti (2013). Cordoba Estelar. Cordoba, Argentina: Observatorio Astronomico de la Universidad de Cordoba. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
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  39. ^ "LNA - Telescopios". LNA - Telescopios. Archived from the original on July 22, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  40. ^ a b c d e f Kronk, Gary W. (2003). "Comet Designation Index, years 1892–1899". Cometography: A Catalog of Comets. Vol. 2: 1800–1899. Cambridge University Press. p. 837. ISBN 978-0521585057.
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Obituaries

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