Sir George Airy

Sir George Airy was a renowned 19th-century British astronomer and mathematician, best known for his work on precise astronomical measurements and Earth's shape. He developed the Airy disk, which explains how telescopes focus light, and contributed to understanding gravity and geodesy. In 1846, he became the Astronomer Royal, overseeing the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. His work improved navigation and timekeeping, helping to accurately determine longitude at sea. Airy's advancements laid important foundations in astronomy, physics, and Earth's sciences, making him a key figure in the development of modern precise measurement techniques.