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Births on December 28

Thomas Henderson (astronomer)
1798Dec, 28

Thomas Henderson (astronomer)

Thomas Henderson, Scottish astronomer and mathematician (d. 1844)
Thomas Henderson FRSE FRS FRAS (28 December 1798 – 23 November 1844) was a Scottish astronomer and mathematician noted for being the first person to measure the distance to Alpha Centauri, the major component of the nearest stellar system to Earth, the first to determine the parallax of a fixed star, and for being the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

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Events on 1798

  • 5Jun

    Irish Rebellion of 1798

    The Battle of New Ross: The attempt to spread the United Irish Rebellion into Munster is defeated.
  • 1Aug

    Battle of the Nile

    French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of the Nile (Battle of Aboukir Bay): Battle begins when a British fleet engages the French Revolutionary Navy fleet in an unusual night action.
  • 2Aug

    Battle of the Nile

    French Revolutionary Wars: The Battle of the Nile concludes in a British victory.
  • 22Aug

    Irish Rebellion of 1798

    French troops land at Kilcummin, County Mayo, Ireland to aid the rebellion.
  • 27Aug

    Irish Rebellion of 1798

    Wolfe Tone's United Irish and French forces clash with the British Army in the Battle of Castlebar, part of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, resulting in the creation of the French puppet Republic of Connacht.