Jean Picard

Jean Picard was a French astronomer and geodesist in the 17th century known for his pioneering work in measuring the Earth’s size and shape. He conducted a significant survey between Paris and Dunkirk, which helped establish the concept of a meridian arc—the distance between two points along the Earth’s surface. His accurate measurements contributed to advancements in geography and helped refine the understanding of the Earth’s curvature. Picard's efforts laid the groundwork for modern geodesy, the science of Earth measurement, which is crucial for navigation, mapping, and various scientific applications today.