Adolf Berberich

Adolf Joseph Berberich (16 November 1861 – 27 April 1920) was a German astronomer best known for his work on calculating the orbits of minor planets and double stars.

[1] Berberich's proficiency at making calculations was quickly noticed by the astronomy community, with his long-time friend Fritz Cohn noting his "infallible dexterity in arithmetic.

[4][5] As the number of minor planets grew rapidly, the ACI began to discuss prioritising other less daunting research, but Berberich persuaded the institute to continue their work.

When Fritz Cohn became the director of the ACI in 1909 he found Berberich to be "overworked on the fringes of his forces"[1] and gave him a holiday, which he spent catching up on research into the minor planets.

Berberich enjoyed great recognition and respect both among his local colleagues and internationally, with the French Academy of Sciences awarding him the Valz Prize in 1893[6][7] and the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Wrocław making him an honorary doctorate in 1911.

His close friend and colleague Max Wolf said the following of Berberich and another close friend and colleague, Johann Palisa:[8] Dem Planeten 776 möchte ich den Namen Berbericia, dem Planeten 914 den Namen Palisana beilegen, um so für die beiden Astronomen Adolf Berberich und Johann Palisa, denen die Erforschung der Planetoiden in den letzten Dezennien wohl am meisten verdankte, eine Erinnerung zu stiften.