Named for the astronomer and geodesist Heinrich Christian Schumacher (1780–1850), who in 1821 founded the Astronomische Nachrichten. Living in Altona, he was professor in Copenhagen and leader of the Danish geodetic survey. Schumacher was the center of a lively correspondence with the leading astronomers of his day, and this ensured a collaboration across frontiers of the European geodetic surveys. His greatest service to astronomers was the institution of the AN {see also planet  (1155)}. Its purpose was to disseminate, as quickly as possible, information about discoveries, ephemerides, short articles, reviews, and so forth. This was achieved by mailing single sheets of eight pages as soon as they could be completed. The spirit of this journal was truly international and astronomers of all nations could contribute in their own language. (M 24122) _ _.