Francis Baily

Francis Baily
Royal Astronomical Society portrait
Born(1774-04-28)28 April 1774
Died30 August 1844(1844-08-30) (aged 70)
London, England
Resting placeSt Mary's Church in Thatcham
Known forBaily's beads
President of the Royal Astronomical Society
AwardsGold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1827 & 1843)
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy

Francis Baily (28 April 1774 – 30 August 1844) was an English astronomer. He is most famous for his observations of "Baily's beads" during a total eclipse of the Sun. Baily was also a major figure in the early history of the Royal Astronomical Society, as one of the founders and as the president four times.