Giovanni Battista Amici
Giovanni Battista Amici | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Amici by Michele Gordigiani | |
| Born | 25 March 1786 |
| Died | 10 April 1863 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Alma mater | University of Bologna |
| Occupation(s) | Astronomer, microscopist, botanist |
| Known for | Amici prism Amici roof prism |
Giovanni Battista Amici (Italian: [dʒoˈvanni batˈtista aˈmiːtʃi]; 25 March 1786 – 10 April 1863) was an Italian astronomer, microscopist, and botanist.
Biography
[edit]Amici was born in Modena, in present-day Italy. He studied mathematics in his hometown under Paolo Ruffini.[1] After graduating from the University of Bologna, he became professor of mathematics at Modena, and in 1831 was appointed inspector-general of studies in the Duchy of Modena. A few years later he was chosen director of the observatory at Florence, where he also lectured at the museum of natural history.[2]
His name is best known for the improvements he effected in the mirrors of reflecting telescopes and especially in the construction of the microscope.[3] He invented the dipleidoscope and also the direct vision prism.
He was also a diligent and skillful observer, and busied himself not only with astronomical subjects, such as the double stars, the satellites of Jupiter and the measurement of the polar and equatorial diameters of the sun, but also with biological studies of the circulation of the sap in plants, the fructification of plants, infusoria etc.[2] He was the first to observe the pollen tube.[4]
Amici died in Florence on 10 April 1863. The crater Amici on the Moon is named in his honour.
Standard author abbreviation
[edit]The standard author abbreviation Amici is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Abetti 1960.
- ^ a b Chisholm 1911.
- ^ Meschiari, Alberto (2003). The microscopes of Giovanni Battista Amici (in Italian and English). Florence: Tassinari. pp. IX–XXX. ISBN 8888649093.
- ^ P. Pearle; K. Bart; D. Bilderback; B. Collett; D. Newman; S. Samuels (2010). "Early Pollen Research".
- ^ International Plant Names Index. Amici.
Bibliography
[edit]- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Amici, Giovanni Battista". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 854.
- Abetti, Giorgio (1960). "AMICI, Giovanni Battista". Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (in Italian). Vol. 2: Albicante–Ammannati. Rome: Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana. OCLC 883370.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link) - Ronchi, Vasco (1970). "Amici, Giovan Battista". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 135–137. ISBN 0-684-10114-9. (Note: this source gives Amici's date of death as 1868).
External links
[edit]
- Weisstein, Eric Wolfgang (ed.). "Amici, Giovanni (1786-1863)". ScienceWorld.
- Some places and memories related to Giovanni Battista Amici
- Giovanni Battista Amici: Optical Instrument Maker, Astronomer. Naturalist
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