Eugц?ne Michel Antoniadi

Antoniadi, Eugene MICHEL (Antoniadi, Eugene Michel) (1870-1944), French astronomer. Born March 10, 1870 in Constantinople (now Istanbul). With 18 years of independently studied astronomy, observations carried out with 75-mm, and then with 108-mm telescope. A permanent correspondent C. Flammarion, the book that defined Antoniadi interest in astronomy. In the future, all its surveillance Antoniadi published in the journal 'Astronomy' (Bulletin of the French Astronomical Society, established Flammarion).

In 1893 Antoniadi arrived in Paris and became a close associate Flammarion in his private observatory in Zhyuvizi, where, using 42-cm equatorial, conducted observations of the planets, especially Mars. Once in the 1870's Schiaparelli observed on Mars 'channels', this planet is attracted worldwide attention. Observations Antoniadi created him credibility in the study of Mars, and in 1902 he was invited to lead the Mars Section of the British Astronomical Association. In 1909 he was invited to Medonskuyu observatory near Paris to observe the great opposition of Mars. After an extensive series of observations on a large telescope and made a nice accurate sketches of the planet, Antoniadi showed that the 'channels' is an irregular dark bands formed by individual patches of various sizes. Already in the 1940's ground photographs confirmed this, and space flight 1965-1976-ies to permanently close the question of the existence of Martian civilization.

Meanwhile, continuing the observations of Mars, Antoniadi showed that this planet is still not quite 'dead' body: during a confrontation in 1924 he spent four nights watching luminescent emissions at the limb of the planet over the area of Hellas. The scientist also confirmed the assessment of the rotation period of Mars, obtained earlier Schiaparelli. His long-term monitoring Antoniadi outlined in the book Planet Mars (1930), which described the history of this planet to study 1659.

In 1904 Antoniadi engaged in archaeological excavations in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople. In 1907 published a three-volume work with the materials of their research. In the last years of his life held a number of studies on the history of astronomy in ancient Greece and Egypt, published a book, Astronomy of Egypt.

The French government awarded Antoniadi the Knight's Cross of Legion of Honor. In 1928 he took French citizenship. Name Antoniadi recorded on maps of the Moon and Mars.

Antoniadi died in Paris on February 10, 1944.