Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers

Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers.

Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers (October 11, 1758 – March 2, 1840) was a German astronomer, physician and physicist. Olbers' paradox is named after him, and so is asteroid 1002 Olbersia .

In 1802, Olbers discovered (and named) the asteroid Pallas.

In 1807 he discovered the asteroid Vesta, which he allowed Gauss to name.

On March 6 1815, Olbers also discovered a periodic comet named after him (formally designated 13P/Olbers ). The asteroid 1002 Olbersia was named in his honour.