Edward Emerson Barnard identified the gaseous nature of a nova in 1892, providing the first clear evidence of a stellar explosion. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, he navigated an impoverished upbringing without formal schooling to become a preeminent observer of the night sky, bridging the early era of manual telescope work with the emerging field of professional astrophotography.
Early Development and Comet Discovery
Raised in Tennessee following his father's death, Barnard began working in a photography studio at age nine. This early training proved instrumental when he purchased his first telescope in 1876. Between 1881 and 1892, he discovered 15 comets, often funding his domestic life through rewards offered for these findings. His academic tenure at Vanderbilt University, despite resulting in no formal degree, led to his recruitment at the Lick Observatory in 1887.
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Barnard excelled at visual detection, identifying the fifth moon of Jupiter, Amalthea, in 1892. This remained the final moon discovered by direct observation rather than mechanical recording. In 1889, he observed Iapetus passing behind the rings of Saturn, noting dark shadows that would later be confirmed as ring spokes by space probes. He also identified the gegenschein and cataloged dark nebulae, now known as Barnard objects, which range from 1 to 370 in his 1919 index.
Astrophotography and Stellar Proper Motion
Upon joining the University of Chicago in 1895, Barnard utilized the 40-inch telescope at Yerkes Observatory to document the Milky Way. His work revealed that dark galactic regions consisted of obscuring gas and dust. His most notable 1916 finding was the high proper motion of a faint stellar system, now designated as Barnard's Star. This system remains the second closest to the Sun. His photographic collection was posthumously published in 1927.
Fast facts
- Born: 1857, Nashville
- Died: 1923, Williams Bay
- Educated: Vanderbilt University
- Major Awards: Lalande Prize, Janssen Medal, Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, Bruce Medal
- Jupiter Discovery: Amalthea (1892)
- Significant Finding: Barnard's Star (1916)
- Buried: Mount Olivet Cemetery
- Professional Roles: Astronomer, photographer, university teacher
Questions readers ask
What was Barnard's primary contribution to astrophotography?
He pioneered the use of photography to catalogue dark nebulae and document the Milky Way, resulting in the publication of A Photographic Atlas of Selected Regions of the Milky Way.
Why is Barnard's Star significant?
It is the second-nearest star system to the Sun and was recognized by Barnard in 1916 for its exceptionally high proper motion relative to other stars.
Achievements
- Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society — 1897
- Lalande Prize — 1892
- Bruce Medal — 1917
- Janssen Medal — 1900
