Giovanni V. Schiaparelli

Giovanni V. Schiaparelli was an Italian astronomer born in 1835, renowned for studying Mars and his detailed maps of its surface features. In 1877, he observed linear markings on Mars, called "canali," which he believed were natural features—though the term was mistranslated as "canals," sparking many misconceptions. Schiaparelli’s work helped advance planetary astronomy and inspired interest in Mars, influencing future scientific exploration and even popular culture. His observations contributed to understanding planetary surfaces and paved the way for later space missions.