Beryl H. Potter (September 16, 1900 – August 10, 1985), born Edna Beryl Hinkle, was an American astronomical researcher. She helped to discover asteroids and, in turn, an asteroid was named for her.
Beryl H. Potter | |
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![]() Beryl H. Potter using a blink comparator, from a 1955 newspaper. | |
Born | Edna Beryl Hinkle September 16, 1900 Goldsmith, Indiana |
Died | August 10, 1985 Frankfort, Indiana |
Occupation | Astronomical researcher |
Known for | Asteroid 1729 Beryl |
Beryl Hinkle was born in Goldsmith, Indiana, the daughter of Edmond Isaac Hinkle and Blanche Adele Cross Hinkle.[1] Her father was a doctor.[2] She graduated from Goldsmith High School in 1917, and attended Indiana University.[3]
Potter was a research assistant at Indiana Asteroid Program at Goethe Link Observatory in Indiana,[4] from 1942 to 1965.[5] She was assistant to astronomer Frank K. Edmondson when he discovered a dwarf star in 1944.[6][7] She analyzed thousands photographic plates using a device called a blink comparator,[8] and "contributed immensely to the program of minor planet observations".[9] In 1952, she helped to discover the asteroid named 1578 Kirkwood.[10] In 1955, she was part of an "all-Hoosier team" that discovered the asteroid named 1602 Indiana; "Mrs. Beryl Potter, research assistant, gets credit for the most important work, since she actually spotted the tiny planet among thousands of stars on photographic plates," explained a 1955 newspaper report.[11] An asteroid (1729 Beryl) was officially named in her honor in 1968,[12] by astronomer Paul Herget.[13]
Beryl Hinkle married William N. Potter. They lived in Bloomington, Indiana, and had seven children. In 1936 she had serious health issues requiring more than a dozen blood transfusions.[14] She moved to West Lafayette, Indiana in 1975.[3] She died in 1985, aged 84 years, in Frankfort.[13]