The Man Who Named the Aurora Borealis

Apr 22
09:36

2015

Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

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The Aurora Borealis was first given its name in the 17th century, by French astronomer Pierre Gassendi. Learn more about the man in this article.

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The Aurora Borealis: nowadays,The Man Who Named the Aurora Borealis  Articles the term and its meaning are known to pretty much everyone in the Western world. Simplified, it is the scientific name given to those strange and beautiful lights in the sky, observable in Northern latitudes and therefore also known quite logically as the Northern Lights.

Many of us take that knowledge for granted, without devoting a moment to thinking about the term's historical origins or significance. Anyone who does choose to explore the subject further, however, will find at its core a fascinating man – a French Renaissance astronomer who, while by no means the first person to spot an Aurora Borealis, was nonetheless the first to refer to it by such a denomination. Here we offer a brief glimpse into the life of the man who named the Northern Lights, French astronomer Pierre Gassendi.

A True Renaissance Man

Born in January 1592 in Provence, France, Pierre Gassendi was the very definition of a Renaissance man, fascinated by all manner of artistic and scientific endeavours. Proof of this is the fact that he is as well-known for being an astronomer as he is for being a philosopher, scientist and mathematician. In keeping with the era's heavy religious influence, he was also a priest, completing a diverse skillset typical of men from his time period.

Aside from naming the Aurora Borealis, Gassendi's other noteworthy contributions to Renaissance-period science include his notes on the transit of the planet Mercury, observed in 1631. His philosophical influence is also quite considerable, with some of his best-known works bridging the gap between dogmatism, scepticism and empiricism. Some consider the Gassendi the originator of the modern scientific outlook, and the informal lectures on philosophy he conducted in Paris attracted such noteworthy students as Moliére and Cyrano de Bergerac. He was also intimate with contemporaries such as Thomas Hobbes, while clashing with others, namely Descartes.

Other than his works in philosophy and his astronomical observations, Pierre Gassendi also taught mathematics at the College Royal, in Paris – a tenure he would maintain until poor health forced him to retire. As mentioned, he was also a priest in southern France, eventually attaining the rank of provost. In spite of his wide-ranging contributions to Renaissance-era culture, however, Gassendi is best known for putting a name to the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis.

While, for the many travellers who come to Iceland or Swedish Lapland to see the Northern Lights for themselves, it's not necessary to have prior knowledge of any of the science or history of the phenomena, understanding a little more about it can only add to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pierre Gassaldi could never have imagined the scope and reach of the phrase he coined, which is now part of our modern vernacular.