Hermann Karsten

Hermann Karsten (3 September 1809 in Breslau – 26 August 1877 in Reinerz) was a German physicist and mineralogist. He was the son of mineralogist Karl Johann Bernhard Karsten (1782–1853) and a cousin to botanist Gustav Karl Wilhelm Hermann Karsten (1817–1908).

He initially studied law at the University of Bonn, then switched to mathematics and sciences, receiving his doctorate from the University of Berlin with the dissertation De crystallographiae mathematicae problematibus nonnullis (1829). Afterwards, he continued his education at the Königsberg Observatory as a student of astronomer Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel. In 1830 he obtained his habilitation in mathematics and mineralogy from the University of Rostock, where in 1836 he became a full professor of mathematics. At Rostock he gave lectures in astronomy, physics and mineralogy as well as classes on mathematical subjects.

On four occasions he served as rector at the university. In 1854 he was appointed director of the Rostock navigation school. Among his numerous published works was an astronomical almanac for seafarers.