Young astronomer in Denmark 1946 to 1958

TL;DR

This personal account details the author's journey from a young amateur astronomer in Denmark to contributing to major astrometry missions like Hipparcos and Gaia, highlighting the development of astronomical research and infrastructure.

Contribution

The paper provides a personal historical perspective on the development of Danish astronomy and its influence on space-based astrometry missions.

Findings

Participation in building the Brorfelde Observatory

Contributions to the development of astrometry satellites Hipparcos and Gaia

Personal insights into the growth of astronomy in Denmark

Abstract

This is a personal account of how I became an astronomer. Fascinated by the stars and planets in the dark sky over Lolland, an island 100 km south of Copenhagen, the interest in astronomy was growing. Encouraged by my teachers, I polished mirrors and built telescopes with generous help from the local blacksmith and I observed light curves of variable stars. Studies at the Copenhagen University from 1950 gradually led me deeper into astronomy, especially astrometry (the astronomy of positions), guided by professor Bengt Str\"omgren and my mentor dr. phil. Peter Naur. I was lucky to take part in the buildup of the new observatory at Brorfelde during the first difficult years and the ideas I gathered there have contributed to the two astrometry satellites Hipparcos and Gaia launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in respectively 1989 and 2013.