Jurij Vega (1754-1802)

250 Years Since Mathematician Jurij Vega Was Born

March, 2004

Slovene contribution to world civilization on the average has been no less than that of any other nation. According to the latest census, Slovenia is home to 1.96m people, so it strikes one as almost unbelievable to realise just how much knowledge Slovenian experts have contributed to the world heritage.

The books of logarithm tables by Jurij Vega (1754 - 1802), for example, were one of the most widespread teaching materials when they were published at the end of the 18th century, as well as an unparalleled aid for computations. Vega also made a name for himself when he calculated the mathematical constant π (Ludolf's number) to an accuracy of 140 decimal places, an achievement that was not surpassed for five decades. The 250 anniversary of his birth also serves as a reminder that he was more than just a mathematician - he is also credited for landmark contributions to ballistics and astronomy. His merits even took him to the Moon, where one of the craters is named after him.

Related links
Logarithms for World Heritage
Slovenia News, No 12, March 23, 2004
Text: Polona Prešeren/ Government Public Relations and Media Office

Jurij Vega and his Time
Website of the Slovenian Society of Mathematicians, Physicists, and Astronomers commemorating the 250th birthday of baron Jurij Vega (1754 - 1802).