Johannes von Gmunden (approx.*1380/84 – †23.02.1442) was the most important European astronomer of his time in the late Middle Ages. He was a university professor in Vienna, amongst other things also holding the post of Dean of the Arts Faculty, and is regarded as the most significant pioneer of humanist astronomical sciences in the German-speaking countries.

As a result of his lectures focussing on mathematics and astronomy, he is also considered to be the first specialist-subject professor at Vienna University. In addition to numerous mathematical papers and revised construction and operational instructions for astronomical instruments, he also created the first ever printed calendar, which famously became known as the “Gmunden Calendar”, and tables relating to the motion of the moon that were used for navigation by none other than Christopher Columbus himself.

J.v.Gmunden also achieved fame through the rebuttal of Jakobus von Erfurt’s prophecies, which foretold of a great disaster that was to occur in September 1432 due to a peculiar planet constellation.

The asteroid (15955) “Johannesgmunden” was named in his honour.

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