When we check the weather on our phones or measure body temperature, most of us see numbers in degrees Celsius. This everyday unit is so common that we rarely stop to ask: Who created it?
Behind this simple scale was Anders Celsius (1701–1744), a Swedish astronomer and scientist whose work went far beyond temperature. He was a pioneer in astronomy, Earth science, and the study of auroras, and his ideas still shape modern science.
This article explores the life, work, and legacy of Anders Celsius showing how one scientist helped the world understand both the heavens above and the climate around us.
Early Life and Education
Anders Celsius was born on 27 November 1701 in Uppsala, Sweden, a city known for learning and science. He grew up in an academic family. His father, Nils Celsius, was a professor of astronomy, and several other relatives were scientists. From a young age, Anders was surrounded by books, instruments, and scientific discussions.
This environment strongly influenced him. He showed early talent in mathematics and astronomy, subjects that were essential for science in the 18th century. Celsius studied at Uppsala University, one of the oldest universities in Scandinavia, where he quickly gained recognition for his sharp thinking and careful observations.
By his late twenties, he had already begun making important contributions to astronomy.
Becoming a Professor of Astronomy
In 1730, at the age of just 29, Anders Celsius became a Professor of Astronomy at Uppsala University. This was a major achievement and marked the beginning of his most productive scientific years.
At the time, astronomy was not only about stars and planets. It was deeply connected to navigation, calendars, timekeeping, and understanding Earth itself. Celsius worked in all these areas, combining observation with precise measurement—something he believed was essential for real scientific progress.
Building Sweden’s First Modern Observatory
One of Celsius’s most important achievements was helping to build the Uppsala Observatory. Sweden lacked a modern astronomical observatory, and Celsius wanted to change that.
He traveled across Europe, visiting observatories in Germany, Italy, France, and England. During these journeys, he met leading scientists and learned the latest methods and technologies. He brought this knowledge back to Sweden.
In 1741, thanks largely to his efforts, the Uppsala Observatory was completed. It became a center for astronomical research in Northern Europe and helped place Sweden on the global scientific map.
Studying Stars, Planets, and Eclipses
As an astronomer, Anders Celsius carefully observed:
Stars and their brightness
Planetary movements
Solar and lunar eclipses
He worked to improve measurement accuracy, which was critical in an era before advanced instruments. His observations helped refine astronomical tables used by scientists and navigators.
Celsius was especially interested in how light behaves and how atmospheric conditions affect astronomical observations—an interest that later connected his work in astronomy with meteorology.
Pioneering Research on the Aurora Borealis
One of Celsius’s most fascinating contributions was his study of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
In the 1700s, auroras were still mysterious and often explained by superstition. Celsius approached them scientifically. He recorded more than 300 observations of auroras over several years.
His key discoveries included:
A connection between auroras and Earth’s magnetic field
Evidence that auroras were linked to magnetic disturbances
This was groundbreaking work. Celsius was among the first scientists to suggest that auroras were not atmospheric illusions but real physical phenomena connected to magnetism. His research laid early foundations for space physics and the modern understanding of solar activity.
Measuring the Shape of the Earth
Another major scientific debate of Celsius’s time concerned the shape of the Earth. Was it perfectly round, or slightly flattened at the poles?
To help answer this, Celsius joined a French scientific expedition to Lapland (northern Sweden) in the 1730s. The team measured the length of a degree of latitude near the Arctic Circle.
Their results confirmed that the Earth is slightly flattened at the poles, supporting Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. This expedition was one of the most important scientific field studies of the 18th century, and Celsius played a key role in its success.
The Creation of the Celsius Temperature Scale
Anders Celsius is best known today for creating the Celsius temperature scale in 1742.
At the time, temperature measurement was confusing. Different thermometers used different scales, making comparisons difficult. Celsius wanted a simple, universal system based on natural, repeatable points.
He proposed a scale with:
One fixed point at the boiling point of water
Another at the freezing point of water
Originally, Celsius defined the scale backward from today’s version:
0° = boiling water
100° = freezing water
After his death, other scientists—most likely Carl Linnaeus—reversed the scale to make it more intuitive. This modified version became the modern Celsius scale used worldwide today.
A Short Life, A Lasting Impact
Sadly, Anders Celsius lived a short life. He died on 25 April 1744, at the age of just 42, likely from tuberculosis.
Despite his early death, his influence was enormous. His work shaped:
Modern temperature measurement
Astronomy and observational science
Aurora research and geomagnetism
Earth science and geodesy
Few scientists have left such a broad and lasting legacy in such a short time.
Legacy and Global Recognition
Today, Anders Celsius is remembered as one of the great scientists of the 18th century. His name lives on every time we talk about weather, climate, science, or medicine.
His contributions remind us that:
Precise measurement is the foundation of science
Curiosity about nature can lead to discoveries that benefit all humanity
Even simple ideas—like a temperature scale—can change the world
Conclusion
Anders Celsius was far more than the creator of a temperature scale. He was a dedicated astronomer, careful observer, and innovative thinker who helped humanity better understand both the Earth and the sky.
From studying distant stars to explaining the glowing lights of the Arctic sky, Celsius showed how science can bring clarity to mystery. His legacy proves that true scientific impact is measured not by how long one lives—but by how deeply one’s ideas endure.
More than 280 years later, the world is still living by his numbers.
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