Arago, Dominique François

Arago, Dominique François (dômēnēk' fräNswä' ärägō') [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.).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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