Amerigo Vespucci (March 9, 1451 - February 22, 1512)
During his third voyage in about 1503-4, Amerigo Vespucci mentioned in a letter
describing the southern skies, "three Canopes, two bright and one obscure."
Amerigo's bright "Canopes" are thought to be the Magellanic Clouds,
LMC and SMC, while
the obscure one is probably the Coalsack
dark nebula.
Honors include the naming of America for him, even during his lifetime, in 1507
by cartographer Martin Waldseemüller.
.. more to come soon ..
Links
[SEDS] |
[MAA] |
[Home] |
[History Home] |
[Biographies]
Hartmut Frommert
Christine Kronberg
[contact]