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Karl Friedrich Küstner
Astronomer

Karl Friedrich Küstner

Famoose for

Detecting changes in latitude and cataloguing stars.

Star catalogues · Latitude variation

Born
22 August 1856
Birthplace
Görlitz
Died
15 October 1936

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Karl Friedrich Küstner

German astronomer whose observations contributed to understanding the movement of Earth’s rotational pole. His stellar measurements also earned recognition from the Royal Astronomical Society.

Early life

Academic training

Born in Görlitz, he completed a doctorate at Strasbourg in 1879 under Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke.

Career

  1. 1879

    Doctorate

    Completed his astronomical studies.

  2. 1888

    Polar-motion observations

    Reported evidence relevant to the changing position of Earth’s pole.

  3. 1910

    Gold Medal

    Was honoured by the Royal Astronomical Society.

Contributions

Star catalogues

Produced stellar measurements recognised for their accuracy.

Latitude variation

Helped establish that observed latitude can vary with polar motion.

Beyond work

An observatory household

Lived with his wife Else, a painter, and their children at Bonn's old observatory. Else had a studio on the grounds and exhibited her work locally.

Sources & photo creditBiography and career ↗Biographical references ↗An observatory household — biographical source ↗

Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.

Photo: Wilhelm Fassbender. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.