He Was An Astronomer And Predicted The Solar Eclipse Of 1789
The Quaker Ellicott family settled in Baltimore County and acquired property close to the Banneker farm. Benjamin had some background in astronomy, and George Ellicott, an Ellicott and an amateur astronomer offered him some books and tools to begin a more thorough investigation. Banneker foresaw the solar eclipse that took place in 1789 and began performing astronomical calculations as early as 1788. His accurate prediction went against those of more well-known astronomers and mathematicians.
A family from Ellicott relocated to Baltimore County and took up residence close to Banneker's home. They were both Quakers, and because George Ellicott was interested in astronomy, the two men became friends. George loaned books and tools to Benjamin, who used them to thoroughly research astronomy with keen enthusiasm. He predicted the solar eclipse of 1789 using astronomical calculations in the year 1788. A crucial feature about Benjamin Banneker is that although many of the leading astronomers and mathematicians of his time condemned him, his accurate forecast won him praise.
Banneker lived most of his life on the 100-acre farm his family owned outside of Baltimore. Banneker started publishing an annual almanac in 1791 after teaching himself astronomy. He noted when the Sun, Moon, and stars would be visible in the sky each day for the upcoming year in it. European scientists liked his almanacs. Additionally, Banneker published articles and pamphlets that opposed both slavery and war.
One of the interesting facts about Benjamin Banneker is that he acquired advanced mathematics from borrowed textbooks and taught himself astronomy by studying the stars. Banneker started performing astronomical calculations in 1789, which allowed him to accurately predict a solar eclipse. His estimate, which was made well before the cosmic occurrence, went against what more eminent mathematicians and astronomers had predicted.
