Joseph von Fraunhofer

Joseph von Fraunhofer was a German physicist and optician known for his significant contributions to the field of optics in the early 19th century. He is best known for discovering the dark absorption lines in the spectrum of sunlight, later called Fraunhofer lines, which provided insight into the composition of stars and the atmosphere. He also developed advanced optical instruments, including high-quality telescopes and diffraction gratings, which improved the study of light and its properties. Fraunhofer's work laid the foundation for modern spectroscopy, influencing both astronomy and chemistry.