John Goodricke (British astronomer)

John Goodricke was a British astronomer in the late 18th century known for his groundbreaking work on variable stars, particularly the star Algol, which he discovered is not constant but changes brightness. Born in 1764 and deaf since childhood, Goodricke made significant contributions to astronomy despite limited formal education. He communicated his findings through writings and correspondence. His observations laid the foundation for our understanding of variable stars, influencing future research in astrophysics. Tragically, Goodricke died young, at just 23 years old, but his discoveries remain influential in the field of astronomy.