1899 in science

The year 1899 in science and technology.

See also: 1898 in science, other events of 1899, 1900 in science and the list of years in science.

Astronomy

• The 80 cm refracting telescope is completed at Potsdam Observatory.

Chemistry

• Actinium discovered by Andre Debierne.

Physics

• Ernest Rutherford classifies two types of radiation, alpha rays and beta rays.
• Henri Becquerel discovers that radiation from uranium consists of charged particles and can be deflected by magnetic fields.

Mathematics

• David Hilbert creates the modern concept of geometry with the publication of his book Grundlagen der geometrie.

Awards

• Copley Medal: Lord Rayleigh
• Wollaston Medal for Geology: Charles Lapworth

Births

• January 12 - Paul Hermann Müller, chemist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 (+ 1965)
• February 27 - Charles Best, medical scientist (+ 1978)

Deaths

• Robert Bunsen - German Chemist, perfector of the bunsen burner.
• Sophus Lie - Norweigen mathematician