1772 in science

Astronomy

• Lagrange finds the special-case solution to the three-body problem that becomes known as the Lagrangian points.

  Cartography

• Johann Heinrich Lambert publishes seven new map projections, including the Lambert conformal conic, transverse Mercator and Lambert azimuthal equal area.

  Chemistry

• Daniel Rutherford isolates nitrogen.
• Joseph Priestley synthesizes nitrous oxide as phlogisticated nitrous air. Antoine Lavoisier privately presents his own views on phlogiston theory to the French Academy of Sciences.
• Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau demonstrates that metals gain weight on calcination.

  Earth sciences

• The Central England temperature record begins daily measurements of mean surface air temperatures in the Midlands region of England.
• William Hamilton publishes Observations on Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, and Other Volcano's: in a series of letters addressed to the Royal Society from the Honorable Sir William Hamilton.

  Mathematics

• Euler confirms that 31 is a Mersenne prime.
• The Marquis de Condorcet publishes his second significant paper on integral calculus.

  Technology

• May 28 – The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal opens for traffic throughout in England from a junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal to the River Severn at Stourport. Engineered by James Brindley, this is the first British trunk canal completed and its dimensions determine the size of boat used throughout the narrow canal network.
• Andrew Meikle invents spring sails for windmills.

  Publications

• Joseph Priestley – The History and Present State of Discoveries Relating to Vision, Light and Colours

  Awards

• Copley Medal: Joseph Priestley

  Births

• February 11 – Thomas Webster, Scottish geologist
• June 8 – Robert Stevenson, Scottish lighthouse engineer
• April 15 – Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, French naturalist
• October 29 – Jean Henri Jaume Saint-Hilaire, French botanist
• November 28 – Luke Howard, English meteorologist and manufacturing chemist
• December 25 – John Mackay, Scottish botanist

  Deaths

• March 22 – John Canton, English physicist
• March 29 – Emanuel Swedenborg, Swedish scientist and theologian
• September 30 – James Brindley, English canal builder