1, regular heptagon. 1796, 19-year-old gauss discovered how to construct a regular heptagon with only a ruler and a compass. This is the first progress of polygonal structure since ancient Greece more than 2000 years ago. Gauss used algebra to prove his structure, which filled a key gap between algebra and geometry.
2. Ceres' orbit. This dwarf planet was first discovered by astronomer Julius Pei Piazi in 1800. Ceres disappeared behind the sun before astronomers calculated its orbit.
Gauss created a model called least square method, which is a method to calculate the observation error and can accurately predict the position of this dwarf planet. Until now, this calculation method invented by Gauss is still the first choice to find the exact relationship between two variables.
3. Theory of celestial motion. 1809, Gauss published a monograph on the motion of celestial bodies in space, The Theory of Celestial Motion. This book describes the motion of asteroids disturbed by large planets and simplifies the complicated mathematical operation of orbit prediction. Today, Gaussian research is still the cornerstone of astronomical calculation.
4. First telegram. This may not be Gauss's most famous achievement, but it is quite creative. 1833, Gauss and physics professor wilhelm weber invented the first electromagnetic telegraph. At the University of G? ttingen, they have been cooperating in the field of magnetism. They built the first telegraph connecting the Observatory and the Institute of Physics. This system can send eight words per minute.
5. Sunlight reflector. Gauss made geodetic survey of Hanover from 18 18 to 1832. During this period, he invented the sunlight reflector, which is an instrument that greatly improved the long-distance land survey.
Sunlight reflector uses a mirror to reflect sunlight to a far place, which can reach hundreds of kilometers and can mark the position for surveyors. Unfortunately, this instrument needs sunny weather to have good effect. In 1980s, GPS technology replaced it.