He was born in GermanyHeidelberg He was awarded a doctor's degree by Heidelberg University in 1888 and became a staff member of the university in 1890.
During his work in Heidelberg, he discovered more than 200 asteroids, the first of which was (323) Brucia in 1891.He took the lead in using the technology of astronomical photography to find asteroids with automated methods. Compared with previous methods, this result has led to a rapid increase in the number of asteroids found.Relative to the light spot of the star, the asteroid under long-term exposure will drag out a short track due to its planetary motion.
Among the numerous asteroids he discovered, the first trojan asteroid (588) Achilles was discovered in 1906, and the other two were (659) Nestor and (884) Priamus.In 1918, another (887) Alinda was discovered, which was classified as the Amor type asteroid cluster of NEAs or subdivided into the Alinda family.On February 6, 1932, he discovered the last asteroid.But soon after, his record of 248 asteroids was broken by his student Carl Weihan Remus on July 24, 1933.
He also discovered and co discovered some comets: 14P/Wolf and 43P/Wolf Harrington, as well as four supernovae: SN 1895A (Virgo), SN 1909A (Ursa Major), SN 1920A and SN 1926A (the latter co discovered with Remus).
He also found the red dwarf star Wolf 359, which is one of the stars closest to the solar system.But it should be noted that the Wolf Rayet star was discovered by Charles Wolf, a French astronomer.
In 1910, Wolf suggested Carl Zeiss Optics to create a new instrument, which is called the astrolabe.The First World War hindered this plan, but after the restoration of peace, Zeiss Company continued this research and produced the first planetarium in 1923.
