Charles Mason
Charles Mason (April 1728–October 25, 1786) was an English astronomer.
Mason's early career was spent at the Royal Greenwich Observatory near London. He worked on the surveying of the Mason–Dixon Line (1763–1767), along with fellow Englishman Jeremiah Dixon. The two had previously travelled around the Cape of Good Hope, where they observed the transit of Venus.
Mason crater on the Moon is named after him, and he is
one of the titular characters of Thomas Pynchon's 1997 novel
The song Sailing to Philadelphia from Mark Knopfler's album of the same name, also has strong references to Mason and Dixon, and was inspired by Pynchon's book.
External links
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