R. J. Mitchell (astronomer)

R. J. Mitchell, active in astronomy in the 1850s, was an assistant to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse. He studied at Queen's College, Galway[1] and was employed as a scientific assistant to Lord Rosse in 1853.[1] He also taught the sons of Lord Rosse.[1]

Mitchell was a talented observer and drawer who made many discoveries with Lord Rosse's 72-inch telescope,[1] and it has been suggested that many of the discoveries claimed by Lord Rosse were actually made by Mitchell.[2] After leaving the employ of Lord Rosse in May 1858, Mitchell began a career in the Irish civil service.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e Steinicke, Wolfgang (19 August 2010). Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters: From Herschel to Dreyer's New General Catalogue. Cambridge University Press. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-139-49010-8.
  2. ^ "The Discoverers of the NGC / IC Objects". cseligman.com. Retrieved 14 December 2019.