Nicole-Reine Lepaute: a pioneer of astronomy in the 18th century

Discover the life and contributions of Nicole-Reine Lepaute, a French-century French mathematician and astronomer, who played a key role in the prediction of the return of the comet of Halley.

A childhood in the heart of the Luxembourg Palace

Nicole-Reine Hortense Stable of the Brière Lepaute (1723-1788) is an emblematic figure of the 18th century French astronomy. Born in Paris, at the Palais du Luxembourg, where her father was at the service of Marie-Louise-Élisabeth in Bourbon-Orleans, she grew up in an environment conducive to education and intellectual curiosity.

Birth certificate of Nicole Reine Etable - Archives de Paris

In 1749, she married Jean-André Lepaute, king's watchmaker, and actively involved in the work of her husband, in particular by calculating the pendulum oscillation tables for a watchmaking treaty.

His meeting with the astronomer Jérôme de Lalande, which had installed its astronomical equipment at the Palais du Luxembourg, marks a turning point in his scientific career.

The prediction of the return of the comet of Halley

In 1757, alongside Lalande and the mathematician Alexis Clairaut, Nicole-Reine Lepaute undertakes complex calculations for predict the return of Halley comet.

For almost a year, she works tirelessly to determine The gravitational disturbances of Jupiter and Saturn On the comet's trajectory.

Their prediction places the passage of the comet on April 13, 1758, A remarkable estimate given the means of the time, although the comet finally passed on March 13.

Late recognition for his work

Despite its crucial role, its name does not appear in the list of assistant calculators of Clairaut, probably for social reasons linked to the time. However, his work is recognized by his peers, in particular by Jean-Baptiste Delambre, which underlines its essential contribution in the company of prediction for the return of the comet.

Precise calculations for ephemeris and eclipses

Subsequently, Nicole-Reine Lepaute collaborated with Lalande in the realization of ephemeris, especially for the transit of Venus of 1761, a major event mobilizing many astronomers.

She also writes Memories for the Royal Academy of Béziers, who elects him as an associate member in recognition of his contributions.

In 1764, it calculated with precision The annular eclipse of the sun on April 1, Publishing a detailed map of the evolution of the eclipse across Europe. This work is published in the "Memoirs of Trévoux", once again demonstrating its expertise in astronomy.

The life and work of Nicole-Reine Lepaute illustrate the essential role that women have played, often in the shadows, in the development of science.