Milutin Milanković: Serbian Mathematician, Astronomer, and Climatologist
Early Life and Education:
Milutin Milanković was born on May 28, 1879, in Dalj, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time of his birth (modern-day Croatia). He grew up in a family of farmers, and his early education was in local schools. Milanković displayed exceptional mathematical talent from an early age.
In 1897, he enrolled at the Vienna University of Technology, where he studied civil engineering. His studies were temporarily interrupted due to health issues, but he resumed and completed his degree in 1904.
Academic Career and Doctoral Studies:
After completing his engineering degree, Milanković returned to Serbia. He started his academic career as an assistant at the Belgrade Higher School in 1905. During this time, he continued his studies and earned a doctorate in technical sciences from the University of Vienna in 1909.
Contributions to Celestial Mechanics:
Milanković’s early research focused on celestial mechanics and mathematical physics. In 1912, he published a significant work titled “Canon of the Solar System,” where he developed a precise mathematical model for calculating the positions of the planets and the Moon. His contributions to celestial mechanics were well-regarded by the scientific community.
World War I and Diplomatic Service:
During World War I, Milanković served in the Serbian army and experienced the hardships of the conflict. Following the war, he became involved in diplomatic service. In 1920, he represented the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia) at the League of Nations.
Milanković’s Canonical System of Earth’s Orbits:
One of Milutin Milanković’s most influential contributions came in the field of climatology. In the early 20th century, he developed a theory to explain the variations in Earth’s climate over long periods, known as Milankovitch cycles. These cycles are related to changes in Earth’s orbit, axial tilt, and precession.
Milanković’s work on the astronomical theory of climate was groundbreaking. His research explained how variations in the Earth’s orbit and axial tilt influenced the distribution of solar radiation on Earth, leading to climatic changes. This work laid the foundation for understanding the astronomical factors influencing ice ages.
Later Life and Legacy:
Milutin Milanković continued his research and academic activities throughout his life. He held various positions, including professorships at the University of Belgrade. In addition to his work on climatology, he made contributions to applied mathematics, geophysics, and other fields.
During World War II, Milanković was imprisoned by German forces due to his political activities. After the war, he continued his scientific work and received numerous awards and honors.
Milutin Milanković passed away on December 12, 1958, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). His work on Earth’s orbital variations and their impact on climate has had a lasting impact on the fields of climatology and paleoclimatology. The Milankovitch cycles remain a fundamental concept in understanding long-term climate changes on Earth, and Milanković is remembered as one of the pioneers in this field.
