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[50.01] The Discovery of the First White Dwarf: Sirius B

J.B. Holberg (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona)

The major events surrounding the discovery of the white dwarf Sirius B, from its prediction in 1844 by Bessel, to its discovery by Alvan Graham Clark in 1862, to the demonstration of its subluminous nature by Adams in 1915 are relatively well known. However, numerous influential individuals, including C. A. F. Peters, A. Auwers, G. P. Bond., U. J. J. Le Verrier, L. Foucault and W. Struve, all played little known but influential roles in the initial discovery of Sirius B and in the subsequent interpretation of its nature.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.