Historedia
Person

Norman Lockyer

Events
3
Episodes
7
Years
1868–1869

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Norman Lockyer, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Janssen detects an unknown solar spectral line

    1868

    Role: English scientist and astronomer

    1. 1868 · Solar eclipse observation siteInitial Detection Attribution

      The first detection of the spectral line signature is attributed to Rayet, Pogson, and Herschel, with Janssen confirming the observation.

    2. 18 August 1868 · Guntur, British IndiaJanssen's Observation

      Janssen observed a bright yellow line in the solar chromosphere during the total eclipse at Guntur, British India, on 18 August 1868.

    3. 20 October 1868 · LondonLockyer's Identification

      Lockyer observed the yellow line from London in October 1868 and identified it as an unknown solar element.

  2. Norman Lockyer identifies the D3 spectral line and proposes helium

    1868

    Role: Astronomer who observed the D3 line and proposed helium

    1. 1868 · LondonObservation of the D3 Line

      Lockyer observed a prominent yellow line in the solar spectrum from London, concluding it was caused by an unknown solar element.

    2. 18 August 1868 · UnknownJanssen's Eclipse Observation

      Pierre Janssen observed the yellow line during the total solar eclipse of August 18, 1868.

    3. Unknown · UnknownNaming of Helium

      Lockyer named the proposed unknown element helium, derived from the Greek word for the Sun.

  3. First issue of Nature published

    1869

    Role: Founder and first editor

    1. Autumn 1869 (exact day 4 November 1869 unverified) · LondonFirst Issue Publication

      The first issue of Nature was published in London in the autumn of 1869, edited by Norman Lockyer. The traditionally cited date of 4 November 1869 is not confirmed by the supplied passages.

Sources

  1. Norman Lockyer Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-23
  2. Helium Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01
  3. Nature (journal) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-04