Czech astronomer, cartographer Antonin Ruekl dies at 83

PRAGUE (AP) - The Prague Planetarium says Antonin Ruekl, a Czech astronomer, cartographer and author of books on astronomy, has died at age 83.

The planetarium, which he directed for many years, says Ruekl died overnight from Monday to Tuesday.

Ruekl was a devoted popularizer of astronomy and was well known for his popular astronomy books, which have been translated to many languages.

An expert in selenography, the science of mapping the moon, he published top books on the subject, including "Atlas of the Moon." Among his other internationally known books are "A Guide to the Stars, Constellations, and Planets" and "Constellation Guidebook."

He also served as vice president of the International Planetarium Directors Conference from 1996 until his retirement in 1999.

A minor planet (15395) was named after him in 2000.