Edward Pigott
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Edward Pigott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1753 |
| Died | 1825 (aged 71–72) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
Edward Pigott (1753–1825) was an English astronomer notable for being one of the founders of the study of variable stars.[1] [2][3][4] He is also notable for discovery the galaxy Messier 64, on April 4, 1779.[5]
Son of the astronomer Nathaniel Pigott, Pigott's work focused on variable stars. Educated in France with a mother from Louvain, the family moved to York in 1781. Despite their significant age difference, he was a friend and collaborator of John Goodricke (his distant cousin[2]) until the latter's untimely death at the age of 21 in 1786.[6]
In 1784, Pigott informed the Royal Society of his discovery of a new variable star.[7] This was Eta Aquilae which he had identified the previous year.[8] He corresponded with leading astronomers of the day including William Herschel[9] and Nevil Maskelyne.[10]
Pigott moved to Bath in 1796.[2] Pigott's notebooks survive at York City Archives.
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