Four distinct double stars, collectively identified as Aller 1 through Aller 4, bear the name of the Spanish priest and mathematician Ramón María Aller Ulloa. His scientific career spanned decades of meticulous celestial observation, beginning with modest equipment in his garden at Lalín and culminating in the first chair of astronomy at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Early Education and Vocation
Born in 1878 at Donramiro, Aller Ulloa pursued studies at the Society of Jesus school in A Guarda and the theological seminary of Lugo. By age 20, he held a doctorate in Sacred Theology and was ordained as a Catholic priest. He later expanded his academic credentials by studying at the University of Oviedo and completing his science degree with honours at the University of Madrid in 1904.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Lalín Observatory
Aller Ulloa transitioned from simple monocular observations to professional-grade research after inheriting funds from his uncle. He acquired a 120 mm Steinheil refracting telescope and constructed a dome in his garden to house the equipment. From this home-based facility, he produced data of such high quality that European observatories frequently assumed a large research team was responsible for the output.
Contributions to Stellar Mechanics
A specialist in double star systems, he became the first Spaniard to calculate the orbit of a double star system. His expertise led to his appointment to the International Astronomical Union Commission 26 in 1948. Beyond observation, he designed custom instrumentation, including modifications for Zeiss astrographs and various measuring tools, which were subsequently utilized by major institutions like the Paris Observatory.
Academic Appointments and Recognition
In 1940, he began teaching analytic geometry and mathematical analysis at the University of Santiago de Compostela. By 1943, he earned a PhD in astronomy from the University of Madrid. His professional standing was solidified through memberships in the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences, the Royal Galician Academy, and the Seminario de Estudos Galegos. In 1955, he received the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, Donramiro
- Died: 1966, Lalín
- Primary Fields: Astronomy, Mathematics, Theology
- Academic Positions: Professor at University of Santiago de Compostela
- Key Discoveries: Four double stars (Aller 1-4)
- Languages Spoken: Ten
- Publications: 78 articles and 4 books
- Honours: Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise
Questions readers ask
Did Ramón María Aller Ulloa have a lunar crater named after him?
Yes, Hugh Percy Wilkins and Patrick Moore named a crater after him in 1955, though it was later officially renamed Atwood by the IAU in 1976.
What subjects did he teach at the university level?
He taught analytic geometry and mathematical analysis, and he held the first chair in astronomy at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
Achievements
- Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise — 1955
.jpg)
