Arago, Dominique François

Arago, Dominique François dômēnēkˈ fräNswäˈ ärägōˈ [key], 1786–1853, French physicist and astronomer. He is noted for his discoveries in magnetism and optics as well as for his astronomical observations. Arago was an ardent supporter of the wave theory of light. In 1811 he invented the polariscope and later developed a polarimeter. His collected works (1854–62) include his well-known Astronomie populaire (4 vol.).

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