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Hell, Maximilian
© Copyright Maximilian Hell, engraving by J. Blaschke Hell, Maximilian, b. Banská Štiavnicá, Slovakia (then Schemnitz), May 15, 1720, d. Vienna, April 14, 1792, Jesuit, astronomer; 1755 called to Vienna by Maria Theresia; made the Vienna observatory known throughout Europe; 1755 first holder of the newly-founded chair of astronomy, 1757 also lectured on mechanics; 1767-1770 journey to the polar island Vardö. Research on the northern lights, Arctic Ocean, refraction, tides etc. From 1757 editor of an annual ephemeris collection (earlier published only in Paris). Works: Ephemerides astronomicae, 37 vols., 1757-1793; De transitu Veneris ante discum Solis, 1770; De parallaxi Solis, 1773. Literature: F. Knoll (ed.), Ö. Naturforscher, Ärzte und Techniker, 1957; F. d´Occhieppo, Dictionary of Scientific Biography, vol. 6, 1965; NDB.
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