This year is the 1290 anniversary of the birth of Alcuin. A monk who would go on to make massive contributiomns in astronomy and he had the help of Charlemagne king of the Franks

Edward Pigott worked with the deaf astronomer John Goodricke in York between 1781-1786 and they made incredible advances in the field of the study of variable star astronomy. However Pigott did much more in his astronomical career. Here is a brief look at his life.

Following on from his discovery in the city of Bath of the variable star R Corona Borealis in 1795 he followed this up later that year with another variable star R SCutum

In the year 1793 Edward Pigott moved from York following the death of John Goodricke to the city of Bath where in 1795 he discovered the variability of the star R Corona Borealis

Setember 10th 1784 Edward Pigott discovered that the star eta Aquila varied in brightness. This would become a night to remember in York because John  Goodrcike would also discover another variable star that varies in brigtness.

In 1783 Edward Pigott became the only person so far to have discovered a comet from York.He was also the first Englishman to have a comet named after him.

A look at how the astronomers Edward Piogott and John Goodricke, the Fathers of Variable Star Astronomy  of York put forwad a theory to explain the light variations of the star Algol in the constellation of Perseus

Join me, Martin Lunn MBE tonight and every Monday evening from 7.00 pm-9.00 pm on the Astronomy Show on Drystone Radio, probably the only regular astronomy show on any radio station in the country.   I will take my weekly look at the night sky and look at all the latest news in astronomy. There will be the astronomical anniversaries this week plus the latest news from the astronomical societies in the north of England.   The Astronomy Show every Monday evening only on Drystone Radio live online at www.drystoneradio.com DAB radio in Bradford and East Lancashire, or 102 and 103.5 FM

The amazing story of how Edward Pigott discovered a galaxy that he thoight was a nebula in 1779 and how long it took astronomers to recognise that he was the discoverer.

Join me, Martin Lunn MBE tonight and every Monday evening from 7.00 pm-9.00 pm on the Astronomy Show on Drystone Radio, probably the only regular astronomy show on any radio station in the country.   I will take my weekly look at the night sky and look at all the latest news in astronomy. There will be the astronomical anniversaries this week plus the latest news from the astronomical societies in the north of England.   The Astronomy Show every Monday evening only on Drystone Radio live online at www.drystoneradio.com DAB radio in Bradford and East Lancashire, or 102 and 103.5 FM