description Bessel Fjord Overview
Bessel Fjord is a fjord in northeastern Greenland named for the German astronomer and mathematician Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel. It lies in the Arctic coastal region and forms part of the geography documented during European exploration and mapping of northeastern Greenland. The name connects a remote geographic feature with the nineteenth-century scientific tradition of assigning explorers' and scientists' names to Arctic landforms. [Bessel Fjord reference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessel_Fjord)
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Who is Bessel Fjord in Greenland named after?
It honours the German astronomer and mathematician Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784-1846), who in 1838 made the first reliable measurement of the distance to a star using parallax of 61 Cygni. Many features of northeastern Greenland commemorate German scientists.
Where is Bessel Fjord located?
It cuts into the northeastern coast of Greenland, opening toward the Greenland Sea in the Arctic. The region is among the least populated coastlines on Earth.
Why was Bessel Fjord given a German astronomer's name?
The name reflects 19th-century German exploration and mapping of northeastern Greenland, during which German expeditions labelled coastal features after prominent German scientists. Bessel, famed for his 1838 stellar parallax measurement, was a natural choice.
Can you visit Bessel Fjord?
Practically no, as it lies in the remote Arctic wilderness of northeast Greenland, reachable only by expedition vessels or charter aircraft. The wider coast is dominated by protected wilderness, including the Northeast Greenland region that contains the world's largest national park.
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