Alvan Graham Clark makes the first observation of Sirius B, a white dwarf star, through an eighteen-inch telescope at Northwestern University.

It Happened on
January 31, 1862

The observation of Sirius B, also known as the Pup, is significant because it was the first evidence of the existence of a white dwarf star. In 1862, Sirius B was discovered by astronomers Alvan Graham Clark and his son, William Clark, while observing Sirius A, the brightest star in the night sky. They noticed a faint companion star near Sirius A and later determined it was a white dwarf, a type of star that is incredibly dense and has exhausted its fuel for nuclear fusion. The discovery of Sirius B confirmed the theoretical predictions about the nature of white dwarfs and opened up new avenues for the study of stellar evolution and the structure of stars. Today, the observation of Sirius B remains a cornerstone of astronomical research and continues to be studied in detail.

Meanwhile…

 

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9 months later was born…


Born on July 10, 1832

Alvan Graham Clark

American astronomer and telescope-maker

Born on October 26, 1862

Hilma af Klint

Pioneer in the early development of abstract art and her innovative use of spiritual and symbolic themes

There is another child full of light who was also born along with Alma. Can you find him?

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Alvan Graham Clark

American astronomer and telescope-maker