Urbain Le Verrier
He predicted the existence and location of Neptune based on perturbations in Uranus's orbit.
Most quoted
"To gaze at the night sky is to confront our own mortality, to realize the brevity of our time against the backdrop of eternity, and yet, to find a strange comfort in that vastness."
— from Observational Diaries
"Death is the ultimate unknown, yet in the grand cosmic scheme, it is but a transition, a return to the elements from which we were forged, to be scattered among the stars."
— from Private Journals
"Direct your telescope to the ecliptic in the constellation of Aquarius, at a longitude of about 326 degrees, and you will find within a degree of that place a new planet."
— from Letter to Johann Galle, 1846
All quotes by Urbain Le Verrier (375)
I have found the planet.
The problem of Uranus is not yet solved.
The calculations are so precise that the planet must be there.
My calculations have led me to believe in the existence of a new planet beyond Uranus.
The agreement between theory and observation is so perfect that it leaves no doubt.
It is a triumph of mathematical astronomy.
The irregularities in the motion of Uranus are too great to be explained by known causes.
I have devoted myself to the study of the solar system with all my energy.
The pursuit of truth is the noblest endeavor of the human mind.
Observation must always be the ultimate judge of theory.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
Patience and perseverance are essential for scientific discovery.
The universe is governed by immutable laws.
My work is a testament to the power of mathematical reasoning.
The discovery of Neptune was not a stroke of luck, but the result of rigorous calculation.
The path to knowledge is often arduous, but the rewards are immense.
I have dedicated my life to the advancement of astronomy.
The beauty of the cosmos lies in its order and predictability.
Science is a continuous process of refinement and discovery.
The human intellect is capable of unraveling the deepest mysteries of the universe.
Contemporaries of Urbain Le Verrier
Other Astronomys born within 50 years of Urbain Le Verrier (1811–1877).