Arago

Arago is a surname of French origin. The most prominent bearer is François Arago (1786–1853), a French mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and statesman. Arago contributed to magnetism, optics and astronomy, and held senior roles in French scientific institutions and government. He was a leading advocate for the wave theory of light and was actively involved in the organization and promotion of science in nineteenth-century France; he was also a member of the French Academy of Sciences.

In the study of optics, Arago is associated with a central diffraction phenomenon predicted by his work: in 1819 he described and demonstrated a bright spot at the center of the shadow of a circular object, now known as the Arago spot or Poisson spot. This observation provided early empirical support for the wave nature of light.

In astronomy, the Moon features a crater named Arago in honor of François Arago, recognizing his contributions to science and his influence on 19th-century astronomy and physics.

Beyond this, the name Arago appears as a surname for various individuals across scientific, artistic, and public fields. The term Arago may also be encountered in historical discussions of 19th-century science and French intellectual history.