Category Archives: Historical

Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 5, 2013 by marknshirleyvu

The historical figure that I chose was noted astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630).  During his lifetime, the following events were happening: –       The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) was an era of warfare in Central Europe.  It is believed to have been caused mainly by continuous conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Europe, however, more causes are also […] Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Megan C

Tycho Brahe (December 14, 1546 – October 24, 1601) was a Danish astronomer who is an important astronomical figure because of his naked eye observations. Before the telescope, he amassed a great trove of extremely accurate data that would be used by Kepler to develop his Three Laws of Planetary Motion. This means he basically provided the […] Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Will K

About Tycho: Tycho Brahe is known as one of the most reliable naked eye observers of his time. Using an elaborate naked eye observatory sponsored by King Frederick II, Tycho was able to accurately measure the movements of the stars. He was convinced that the Sun was the center of the solar system but he […] Continue reading →

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Blast from the Past: Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 4, 2013 by staunesm

A) Galileo Galilei (Feb 16th, 1564-Jan 8th, 1642) is an important astronomer for two reasons: his inventions and his discoveries.  Although he did not invent the telescope, Galileo made the first 30x-magnifying telescope that was used to observe land, sea, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 4, 2013 by charlesbcochran

Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630) Johannes Kepler Bio Figured out how to explain the motions of the planets. Figured this out with three laws: 1) Planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun with the sun positioned at one of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Johannes he-was-so-awesome Kepler

Posted on February 3, 2013 by surujdeka

Johannes Kepler (December 27, 1571 – November 15, 1630) played a huge role in the scientific revolution of the late 16th and 17th centuries. Initially hired by Brahe to make sense of his observations of planetary movements, Kepler went on to prove that planetary orbits are not circles but ellipses. He investigated further and soon […] Continue reading →

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 3, 2013 by hannahladendorf13

Newton: 1642-1727 Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity radically changed our perspective of the Earth and our Moon’s orbit.  Although many scientists before Newton had discredited Aristotle’s theory on a geo-centric universe, the understanding of gravity was the cherry on top … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Copernicus-Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on February 2, 2013 by a2megal

Basic Facts: Name: Nicholas Copernicus Birth: February 19, 1473 Death: May 24, 1543 Nicholas Copernicus played a crucial role in the development of modern astronomical theory with his monumental proposal of the Copernican system (also known as the heliocentric system). While the heliocentric model was not his idea originally (this is an idea that originally belonged […] Continue reading →

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Hypatia – Historical Astronomers in Context

Posted on January 31, 2013 by drgrundstrom

<note to students: I went farther than you need to because no one can use Hypatia as their historical figure> Hypatia was the first woman KNOWN to contribute to mathematics and science.  Her father, Theon of Alexandria, was a well-known academic and taught his daughter to follow in his footsteps.  Remarkably, she was the head […] Continue reading →

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Total Solar Eclipses: Cool Now, Terrifying Then

Posted on January 27, 2013 by zvgio

The term umbraphile is not a common term found in most peoples’ lexicons, and even those who parse in Greek may be confused by the translation of “shadow-lover.” However, despite their rarity, umbraphiles do exist, and the shadow which they love is the one the moon casts on the Earth during a total solar eclipse. […] Continue reading →

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