Category Archives: Historical

Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus (February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) was important to astronomy because, when he was studying astronomy, the Ptolemaic model for planetary motion was no longer accurate so he began studying Aristachus’ model from 1700 years before in which the planets orbit the sun. While working based on this idea, he was ableContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus was born on February 19th, 1473 and died on May 24th, 1543 (Redd). Nicholas Copernicus’s biggest contribution to astronomy was the idea that the planets and Earth revolve around the sun, instead of everything revolving around Earth. He also claimed the Earth spins on its axis, and its revolution around the sun is […] Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Tycho Brahe: (12/14/1546 – 10/24/1601) The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre occurred in Paris on August 24th and 25th in 1572. This massacre was orchestrated by the Catholic Catherine de Medici, carried out by Catholic noblemen and citizens, and resulted in the slaughter of French Huguenots (protestants). In February 1570, Queen Elizabeth I of England wasContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Galileo Galilei [February 15, 1564–January 8, 1642] was important to astronomy because his work “answered all three objections” to Copernicus’s view of the solar system. These three objections were (1) “that Earth could not be moving,” (2) that orbits had to be circular because the heavens are “perfect and unchanging,” and (3) that Earth cannotContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus was the one of the earliest astronomers of the Renaissance. Born: February 19, 1473 Died: May 24, 1543 1492: Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. His discovery of the Americas opened up a new section of world which sparked the Columbian Exchange. This led to the Age of Exploration, and greatly expanded theContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Galileo Galilei Born: 2/15/1564 | Died: 1/8/1642 | Galileo Influence on Astronomy 1588: The Spanish Armada was defeated by Britain, which lessened Spain’s influence in the New World and increased English influence in the Americas. Britain also seized control of the Atlantic Ocean. 1620: The Mayflower Compact was signed. It was the first document toContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Astronomy & the Catholic Church

Although some might make the claim that the Catholic Church has and always will be anti-science (a myth perpetuated partly by Catholic fundamentalism), the church has actually had a longstanding relationship with the sciences dating as far back as the early Middle Ages. [1] The beginning of the church’s interest in astronomy began when issues… Continue reading

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Johannes Kepler in Context

Johannes Kepler (December 27, 1571 – November 15, 1630) was a German astronomer best known for discovering three laws (although he did not call them that) about planetary motion. These laws state that 1) planets orbit around the sun in an elliptical shape; 2) The planet covers an equal area in equal time during itsContinue reading “Johannes Kepler in Context” Continue reading

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Celebrating the Vernal Equinox

Spring is a season that is characteristically associated with birth and life. It symbolizes an end to Winter and the transition to the (personally) much more favorable, Summer. While I probably enjoy Summer more than Spring overall, there is something about the feeling I get seeing all the plants grow, the leaves come back, tonsContinue reading “Celebrating the Vernal Equinox” Continue reading

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The Western Zodiac’s Origins

One of the most interesting aspects of Astronomy for me specifically is the element of spirituality or philosophy it tends to invoke. To witness the majesty and scale of universe evokes such wonder that, if you’ll allow some hyperbole, can at times be akin to a religious experience. I comment this not to say thatContinue reading “The Western Zodiac’s Origins” Continue reading

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