Astronomer. He was one of the founders and presidents of the Royal Astronomical Society. A disciple of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Baily contributed to astrological studies by naming "Baily's Beads," a phenomenon of the beads of light that appear as a total solar eclipse transitions into what is referred to as "totality." Baily first used the term during his observation of the eclipse of May 15, 1836, while visiting Scotland for said eclipse. Not to be mistaken with an eclipse's "Diamond Ring" or "Wedding Ring," a frame of light resembling a mounted diamond ring, Baily documented a "strand of pearls glistening" effect, calling it "Baily's Beads" after studying that 1836 celestial event. He studied the light shining through lunar ridges formed from the moon's mountains, peaks, and valleys just before the climax of the solar eclipse, the dramatic phase of totality, completely obscuring the sun and creating a corona lasting through 2-5 minutes of darkness. He also noted the atmospheric effects of casting a large shadow onto Earth and the absence of solar heat, with a noticeable drop in temperature of approximately 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit. Baily received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1827 and 1843. The lunar crater Baily was named in his honour. He became a household name following the eclipse of April 8, 2024, which passed through Mexico, 15 states across the U.S., and Canada. He died in London on August 30, 1844, aged 70, and was buried in his family's vault in St Mary's Church in Thatcham, Berkshire.
Astronomer. He was one of the founders and presidents of the Royal Astronomical Society. A disciple of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Baily contributed to astrological studies by naming "Baily's Beads," a phenomenon of the beads of light that appear as a total solar eclipse transitions into what is referred to as "totality." Baily first used the term during his observation of the eclipse of May 15, 1836, while visiting Scotland for said eclipse. Not to be mistaken with an eclipse's "Diamond Ring" or "Wedding Ring," a frame of light resembling a mounted diamond ring, Baily documented a "strand of pearls glistening" effect, calling it "Baily's Beads" after studying that 1836 celestial event. He studied the light shining through lunar ridges formed from the moon's mountains, peaks, and valleys just before the climax of the solar eclipse, the dramatic phase of totality, completely obscuring the sun and creating a corona lasting through 2-5 minutes of darkness. He also noted the atmospheric effects of casting a large shadow onto Earth and the absence of solar heat, with a noticeable drop in temperature of approximately 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit. Baily received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1827 and 1843. The lunar crater Baily was named in his honour. He became a household name following the eclipse of April 8, 2024, which passed through Mexico, 15 states across the U.S., and Canada. He died in London on August 30, 1844, aged 70, and was buried in his family's vault in St Mary's Church in Thatcham, Berkshire.
Bio by: Moretto
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