Alexis Clairaut

Alexis Clairaut was an 18th-century French mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to celestial mechanics and geodesy—the study of Earth's shape and dimensions. He formulated Clairaut's theorem, which describes how the shape of a rotating planet, like Earth, bulges at the equator due to centrifugal forces. His work helped improve navigation and mapping techniques by providing insights into the Earth's gravitational field. Clairaut's ideas laid the groundwork for understanding the physics of celestial bodies and their movements, influencing both astronomy and geophysical studies that are still relevant today.