Category Archives: Historical

Examining Historical Astronomy Through the Lens of Fiction

Posted on February 27, 2021 by alliefrymire

Humans have been studying the skies for millennia with our theories about how space works evolving and growing over the same amount of time. Today, our understanding of astronomy is based primarily on natural and mathematical laws that allow us to evaluate and understand the heavens objectively. However, humanity’s understanding of astronomy has not always … Continue reading Examining Historical Astronomy Through the Lens of Fiction → Continue reading →

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Eppur Si Muove

Posted on February 26, 2021 by wendyyb

… were the words (supposedly) quietly uttered by Galileo following his trial with the Catholic church. The Church disapproved of his support of the Copernican system which depicted the Sun being at the center of our solar system with Earth orbiting it. This contrasted with the Church’s view that we were at the center ofContinue reading “Eppur Si Muove” Continue reading →

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Reconciling Science and Religion

Posted on February 20, 2021 by rightascensionanddeclinolan

In 1615, Galileo wrote a letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (read: the Church) “to accommodate Copernicanism with the doctrines of the Catholic Church … [by] arguing that the Copernican theory was not just a mathematical calculating tool, but a physical reality” (source).  In his letter, Galileo claimed – among other things – the following:Continue reading “Reconciling Science and Religion” Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by zhengjs1

Johannes Kepler Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer, was important to our history for discovering three laws of planetary motion that are now named after him as well as finding key evidence for the highly-debated Sun-centered idea. Kepler’s first law explained that each planet orbits the Sun following an elliptical path with the Sun as aContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading →

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Galileo in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by weatherbysofferings

Galileo Galilei (15 February, 1564 – 8 January, 1642) was important to astronomy for quite a few reasons, so I’ll stick to the main points. To start with, he made major improvements to the design of the telescope through his study and application of optics, paving the way for his own and other’s astronomical observations.Continue reading “Galileo in Context” Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by wendyyb

Tycho Brahe is my chosen astronomer. He was born on 14, Dec. 1546 and died 24, Oct. 1601. (Wikipedia) Some historical events that occurred during Brahe’s lifetime include: 1553-1558: The crowning of Mary as Queen of England, making her the first woman to rule England (Intriguing History) 1562: Witchcraft becomes a capital offense (Intriguing History)Continue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by hunterspiveyastr

My Chosen Astronomer: Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) acted as the individual who tied together all the theory and observations of the astronomers that came before him. His invention of calculus and other mathematical accomplishments allowed him to apply these new concepts to the perceived circular motion of the planets and moon to develop hisContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by allyworthington

Johannes Kepler was born on December 27th, 1571 and died on November 15th, 1630. After influential astronomer Tycho Brahe passed away, his unfinished work and data was given to Kepler to continue. With this data, Kepler discovered that Mars’ orbit is an ellipse, publishing Astronomia Nova in 1609 (now known as Kepler’s first two laws). Later in … Continue reading Historical Astronomers in Context → Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by justinboreskyvanderbiltedu

Sir Isaac Newton born December 25 1642, died March 20 [March 31], 1727 During Newton’s life two major events that occurred were the bubonic great plague and the Renaissance. The bubonic plague killed 75,000 people in England, black rats and fleas brought the disease back to the country. Whole towns of people died and people wouldContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 17, 2021 by lauryn28

  Johannes Kepler was a German astronomer born December 27, 1571, in Weil der Stadt, Germany. He is well known in the field of astronomy for his three laws of planetary motion. He found that planets orbit on an ellipse rather than a perfect circle, that the planet and the sun sweep out equal areasContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading →

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