scale based on 0 for the freezing point of water and 100 for the boiling point of water. Invented in 1742 by the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, it is sometimes called the centigrade scale because of the 100-degree interval between the defined points. The following formula can be used to convert a temperature from its representation on the Fahrenheit (F) scale to the Celsius (C) value: C = 59(F 32). The Celsius scale is in general use wherever the metric system of units has been adopted, and it is used in scientific work everywhere.