Maximilian Hell was an important 18th-century astronomer. He was born on 15th May 1720 in the municipality of Štiavnicke Bane, where he attended primary school. Subsequently, he studied at the grammar school in Banská Bystrica. After completing his studies, he applied for admission to the Society of Jesus. In 1740, Hell took monastic vows and left for Vienna to study history, theology and philosophy.  After his ordination in 1750, he started to teach at the Jesuit grammar school in Banská Bystrica.  He completed his university studies in Vienna in 1752. He contributed to the construction of observatories at Trnava, Cluj-Napoca, Buda...