Tycho’s contributions to astronomy began when he made improvements to the inaccurate prediction models of Ptolemy and Copernicus. Despite not having the benefit of a telescope, he was able to raise the bar of accurate celestial observations and even mapped the location of over 700 stars. In addition, his reconciliation of an earth-centric model with incongruent planetary movements added a new step in the progress towards an accurate heliocentric model; while still inaccurate due to the earth-centric characteristic, Brahe’s advancement towards planets orbiting the sun demonstrated a departure from the mistaken belief that crystal spheres contained the orbits of celestial bodies.
1588: British Navy defeats the Spanish Armada to establish dominance in the Atlantic Ocean.
1598: The Edict of Nantes is signed by King Henry IV of France, and this edict granted equal rights to other non-Catholic religious parties (namely the Huguenots) and ended the French Wars of Religion.
Girolamo Frescobaldi (September 1583 – 1 March 1643), Italian composer
G. Frescobaldi is a titan in compositions for the organ and harpsichord; these instruments were the headliners of keyboard innovations at the time, and Frescobaldi’s style of writing for these two instruments were incredibly influential in the subsequent Baroque era of music composition. Bach is one of the many composers downstream of Frescobaldi’s influence, and his works are still great models of studying musical themes such as counterpoint.
Itwas interesting to see that the models of our solar system were still not close to being accurate in the late 1500s. I often relate the Renaissance to the period of great understanding of our solar system, but this exercise made me realize that this progress was more relative to the prior, primitive models we had at the time. In addition, I had learned the timelines of the Church, territorial conquests, and music all separately throughout my life so putting them in context with one another made me feel that the territorial battles were occurring much earlier in history than I once thought; to also see that heliocentric models were still being used into the 1600s makes our current understanding of the “correct” solar system feel very recent.
1. A. Nicholas Copernicus | February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543 Johannes Kepler | December 27, 1571 – November 15, 1630 Tycho Brahe | December 14, 1546 – October 24, 1601 Galileo Galilei | February 15, 1564 – January 8, 1642 Isaac Newton | January 4, 1643 – March 31, 1727 (year often debated since calendars were in change at this time) B. Kepler, Brahe, and Galileo all lived at the same time. Kepler and Galileo were born the closest together so they both existed until the first one of them died. Brahe was a few decades their senior, which means Kepler and Galileo likely weren’t at the peak of their “careers” in astronomy during the time Brahe was.
2. Galileo was at the forefront of the scientific revolution. He took on the Roman Catholic Church and disputed them on the structure and observation of the solar system. The government at the time was largely theocratic, so anyone who committed the crime of heresy was prosecuted. This is why they dubbed Galileo a martyr for science and astronomy. Outside of astronomy, he contributed to the field of elementary and fundamental mechanics. For instance, he actually was the one who discovered the equation for free fall. (When we learned about quadratic equations back in 8th grade, I actually was taught this information as well.)
A.
The time that Galileo was alive was a formative time for literature and theater culture as this span of years contained the period of William Shakespeare and the production of his works. The time in which Shakespeare was alive also became synonymous with what was deemed the Elizabethan era; at this time England was under the reign of Elizabeth I.
At this time, the renaissance was also in full swing throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The word literally translating to “rebirth” was a cultural, artistic, and political recycling from the ways of ancient civilizations. One of the places we can see this is in how Greco-Roman architecture spiked in popularity at this time which hadn’t been utilized for centuries at this point. B. As aforementioned, Queen Elizabeth I occupied the crown at this time. Not only was she known to be one of the biggest ringleaders in the Renaissance but she was also a symbol of political revolution. She was one of the few female monarchs at the time and she was especially unique since she never married as she feared her husband would take over control. She also had a hand in exploring the New World (America) as well.
I had prior knowledge of a lot of the topics covered after question 1. But researching this really just reinforced to me the intrusiveness of the major and Abrahamic religions. It also supports the idea that I’ve held for a while that faith really is blind hope. The church wanted to suppress Galileo’s findings because they knew they would potentially poke holes in their gospel. The church still does things like this to date, like hiding several books of the Bible in the Vatican library because it’s their belief that it’s best to do so.
Bibliography
Historical Astronomers
Astronomers’ Birthdates (Each of them was on their dedicated subpage) “Main Page.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Oct. 2022, https://www.wikipedia.org/.
Galileo’s Contributions Machamer, Peter, and David Marshall Miller. “Galileo Galilei.” Stanford Encyclopedia ofPhilosophy, Stanford University, 4 June 2021, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/galileo/.
a. Nicolas Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473 and died on May 24, 1543. Johannes Kepler was born on December 27, 1571 and died on November 15, 1630. Tycho Brahe was born on December 14, 1546 and died on October 24, 1601. Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564 and died on January 8, 1642. Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642 and died on March 20, 1727.
b. Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler lived at the same time for about 6 years from 1600 to 1606.
2. Johannes Kepler made significant contributions to astronomy and science. He created Kepler’s Laws, the laws of planetary motion. These laws include the description of planetary orbits (elliptical), the relationship between the planet’s orbital period and its distance from the sun, and finally the relationship between a planet’s orbital speed and its position in its orbit. Kepler’s law helped create the foundation for Newton’s law of motions and gravitation.
3.
a. One major historical event that occurred during the years 1571 and 1630 is the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). This was a war fought mainly in the Holy Roman Empire between Catholic and Protestant states. This war resulted in widespread destruction. Another major historical even is the Mayflower pilgrimage of 1620. This well-known voyage carried English settlers to the New World on the Mayflower ship, which eventually lead to the establishment of the Plymouth Colony.
b. William Shakespeare lived during the years 1564 and 1616. He was a famous English playwright and poet. He is known as one of the greatest writers in the English language. Some of his more popular works include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth.
4. Learning about historical figures and events helps me gain a deeper understanding of the past and how our past has shaped the world we live in today. It also is interesting because it shows us how much our country and world has evolved over time culturally and scientifically.
[1]Isaac Newton, the brilliant polymath and philosopher, was one of the most important figures in the history of astronomy. Born in 1642 in England, Newton is widely considered as the father of modern science and his contributions to the field of astronomy are simply unparalleled.
In his seminal work, “Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” (1687), also known as the “Principia,” Newton laid out the foundations of classical mechanics and his laws of motion and universal gravitation. He proposed that the force of gravity was a universal force that operates throughout the universe, and that all objects are attracted towards one another. This theory explained the motions of celestial objects, such as the planets and their moons, and provided a new understanding of the way the universe worked.
But, it was not just his theories that made Newton such a towering figure in astronomy. He was also a master observationalist, using his famous telescope to make many astronomical observations and discoveries. He discovered the nature of light and color, observed the four largest moons of Jupiter, and studied the characteristics of sunspots. Newton’s observations and theories helped to explain why the orbits of celestial objects are elliptical, rather than circular, and why comets follow such eccentric paths.
Beyond his contributions to astronomy, Newton was a master of mathematics and his mathematical skills allowed him to make predictions about the motions of celestial objects that could be verified through observation. His laws of motion and gravitation formed the basis for the study of dynamics, and his work on light and color laid the foundation for the study of optics.
Isaac Newton was a true Renaissance man and his contributions to the field of astronomy have left an indelible impact on science and humanity. His work continues to be studied and celebrated more than three centuries after his death, and he remains an inspiration to scientists and mathematicians the world over. Newton died in 1742.
How was the world at that time:
During the lifetime of Isaac Newton, two major historical events were the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Glorious Revolution in 1688.
The Great Fire of London took place in September 1666 and was a devastating event that destroyed a large part of the city. The fire began in a baker’s shop in Pudding Lane and quickly spread, engulfing much of the city’s wooden buildings. The fire lasted for four days and caused widespread destruction, with only a small number of buildings escaping unscathed. The aftermath of the fire saw the rebuilding of much of London, with the city being redesigned with wider streets and brick buildings to prevent a similar disaster from happening in the future.
The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, was a political event that saw the overthrow of King James II of England by William of Orange and his wife, Mary. The revolution was a result of James’ attempts to assert absolute rule and the increasing influence of the Catholic Church in England. William and Mary were invited to take the throne by a group of English politicians, and the revolution was peaceful, with James fleeing to France. The Glorious Revolution marked a turning point in English history, with the country moving towards greater parliamentary control and religious toleration.
Another influencial person at that time:
[2]One other famous historical figure who lived during Isaac Newton’s lifetime is John Locke.
John Locke, born on August 29, 1632 and passed away on October 28, 1704, was a beacon of enlightenment in a world shrouded by superstition and dogma. He was a philosopher and political theorist who left an indelible mark on the development of modern Western thought and continues to be widely studied and debated to this day.
Locke was a pioneer of classical liberalism, a political philosophy that values individual rights, limited government, and the rule of law. He is famously known for his two Treatises of Government, published in 1690, which were a major influence on the American Revolution and the creation of the US Constitution. In these works, he presented a compelling argument for the idea of a social contract, in which individuals surrender some of their individual rights to a government in exchange for the protection of their remaining rights.
Aside from his political theory, Locke was also a prolific writer on a diverse range of subjects, from education to personal identity and religious tolerance. His philosophy touched upon the essence of the human experience and sought to uncover the underlying principles of reason and freedom that guide our lives. His ideas about individual liberty and government continue to shape the world even today, and his legacy as one of the greatest minds of the Enlightenment remains unchallenged.
The study of the history of astronomy is a crucial aspect of our understanding of the universe and the evolution of human knowledge. Examining the political, social, and cultural context in which key astronomical discoveries were made provides a more complete picture of the subject and reveals the motivations behind the work of astronomers. This holistic approach to studying astronomy illuminates the relationship between scientific ideas and the world around us, showing how the advancement of knowledge is shaped by the cultural, political, and social forces of the time. The study of the history of astronomy is not only a celebration of human achievement, but also an opportunity to reflect on the limitations and biases of earlier ideas and how these have influenced our current understanding of the universe.
Nicholas Copernicus(2/19/1473 – 5/24/1543) He put forward the heliocentric theory for the first time, believing that the sun is the center of the universe, which seriously impacted the views of the church at that time. Laid the foundation for the development of astronomy.
Renaissance: The Renaissance occurred from the 14th century to the 16th century. This is an ideological liberation movement. Advocate populism and criticize religion. It was during this period that the minds of the people began to be liberated and science developed rapidly.
Michelangelo Simoni (3/6/1457 – 18/2/1564) The Renaissance not only promoted the development of science, but also stimulated the diversity of artistic styles. Michelangelo pursued perfection all his life, and his artistic style had a great influence on future generations of artists.
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Isaac Newton was born December 25, 1642 and died March 20, 1727. He is one of the biggest and most influential figures in the history of humankind specifically in astronomy. He managed to change our understanding of the laws of motion and gravitation. Additionally, he made sense of our motion framework on Earth. Newton’s laws are still relevant to this day and helped improve many fields mainly physics and astronomy. Not only he created these laws, but he also made important contributions to the field of optics.
Contemporary Events:
The Great Fire of London took place in 1666. A great disaster occurred. one of the most damaging fires happened in London. It was the largest in the history of England.
The war of Spanish Succession was a significant conflict that happened from 1701 to 1714. It was fought to get the Spanish throne. This war was bout to determine the balance of powers in Europe. In the end, it created a new era of British dominance in the world and helped show the British empire as a powerful force.
Contemporary Figure:
John Locke (1632-1704) lived during newton’s lifetime. He was an English philosopher and physician who influenced the history of modern western philosophy. He helped found modern political philosophy and played a huge role in developing Enlightenment thought. His ideas had a significant impact because he shaped western thinking.
A Brief Reflection:
By learning about the Great Fire of London, the War of Spanish Succession, and John Locke, I had a glimpse over the complex historical context in which newton lived. Those two major events shaped the political aspect of the world in the 17th century while John Locke helped found our modern philosophy. In general, learning about major events and past figures provides a stronger understanding of the past and the complex role it plays between different elements of society and how its contribution developed our present ideas.
Tycho Brahe (December 14, 1546–October 24, 1601) helped to recalibrate old, grossly inaccurate measurements of the stars and the predictions of their movements. He dedicated himself to finding more accurate measurements, and while conducting research at his observatory Uraniborg in Denmark on the island of Ven, he and his assistants made substantial corrections to most all of the astronomical records available at the time. Additionally, he acted as a teacher and mentor to Johannes Kepler, who would later put forth three major laws of planetary motion.
During his lifetime, many other events of notice occurred. In 1558, following the death of her sister Queen Mary I, Elizabeth I ascends to the throne, ushering in the famed Elizabethan era. In 1598, Dafne, the first known opera by modern standards, is performed in Florence.
At the same time as Elizabeth I is reigning over England and Brahe is correcting the inaccuracies of his predecessors, William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564–April 23, 1616) is one of the most renowned playwrights and poets of history. His works are widely known, particularly throughout the English-speaking world, and some are often considered among the great works of tragedy and comedy.
While researching these figures and events, the most interesting thing for me to see was the co-evolution and production of great works of art at the same time as these important moments in science are occurring. We often focus on one aspect, all sciences or arts, but the world continues in all directions. It’s important to remember that there are a lot of things happening and being built that we’re not conscious of or thinking of, but they can all be equally important, and they all have their place.
Tycho Brahe was born in 1546 and died in 1601. Brahe! was famous because he was an incredibly meticulous nighttime observer who dedicated hours to documenting the positions of celestial objects. Brahe became known as the best astronomical observer. He was also known for his famous observation machine that rotated and allowed Brahe to track those objects night after night.
From 1577 to 1580, Queen Elizabeth hired Francis Drake to travel around the entire globe on sea, a process known as circumnavigation. Drake traveled through the Magellan Straight but was blown extremely off-course by winds and storms. His ship was brought to an area called Tierra del Fuego, which he then discovered was part of the Antarctic, not a southern continent. He then became known as the first Antarctic explorer.
In 1600, the British East India Company was chartered. This British Empire trading conglomerate became one of if not the most powerful and militant forces on the planet during the 17th century. This company is famous not only for its trade but for its expansion and control of several Asian, Indian, and South American countries.
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616. He is a very famous historical figure who was alive at the same time as Tycho Brahe (and a few of the other famous astronomers). Shakespeare is perhaps the most renowned writer and poet from the 16th and 17th centuries, and he is known for his works such as Romeo and Juliet, a Midsummer Nights Dream, and Hamlet. Besides being famous for his works while he was alive and for transferring them to stages for audiences of all wealth statuses, Shakespeare is still prolific and relevant today, as works like Romeo and Juliet and Othello are still analyzed and taught in schools today.
Doing this assignment helped me realize how much overlap there is between historic and life-changing moments. I tend to very easily break history into segments and compartmentalize historical events into different eras and countries, but writing about Brahe and the famous events that occurred during his lifetime as well as reading that Shakespeare was alive at that time truly helped me realize that the fabric of history is so tightly woven together and we have so much more in common cross-culturally than I often think we do.
Sir Isaac Newton was born on January 5, 1643 in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England to Hannah Ayscough and Isaac Newton Sr. During his lifetime he made enormous contributions of the field of physics, math and astronomy. He invented calculus jointly with Gottfried Leibniz (another famous mathematician), and created the theory of gravity. This work in the laws of motion and gravity formed the early beginnings of modern physics that we still use today. He died in Kensington, London, England in his sleep on March 21, 1727.
In art, the style of architecture that was gaining popularity was English Baroque that occurred after the Great London fire in 1666. Since the fire had flattened some of the landscape, architectures of this time had a blank slate to work with. This style was used to display power and was mainly used by rulers and the Church.
Born to a wealthy Anglican family in Tower Hill, London on October 14, 1644, William Penn was important because he was one of the original group of Quakers (who were facing religious persecution in England at this time) to draft a plan to settle in New Jersey. His democratic proposals for this settlement were some ideas that influenced the U.S. Constitution which included freedom of religion, fair elections, no unjust imprisonment, and fair and free trials by jury. He would then go on to become one of the founders of Pennsylvania through familial debt owed by English King Charles II. He dies in July 30, 1718 in Berkshire, UK due to a stroke.
All in all, I think the contextualization of Isaac Newton being alive at the same time as the colonization of America was very eye opening to me. I also find it interesting that some of the famous astronomers also helped each other; I think I always thought that “there cannot be two great people alive at once,” so I thought they didn’t live at the same time or something.
The astronomer Tycho Brahe was born on December 14th, 1546 in Knutstorp Castle, Scania, Denmark–Norway and died on October 24th, 1601 (aged 54) in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Holy Roman Empire . You can find more info on him at the following website.
During Brahe’s lifetime, Sir Francis Drake became a part of the third voyage to circumnavigate the world from 1577-1580. Additionally, in 1598, the Edict of Nantes was signed, ending the French civil war known as the French War of Religions. The Edict of Nantes granted civil rights to the minority Protestants, setting a precedent for religious equality. You can find more information about Sir Francis Drake and the Edict of Nantes here and here, respectively.
Sir Walter Raleigh lived at the same time as Brahe and was famous for building England’s first American colony in Roanoke and leading the famous expedition to El Dorado. He was important because he started England’s colonization of the Americas. You can find more information about Sir Walter Raleigh here.
Sir Walter Raleigh
It was interesting seeing how the European world was very fragmented from each other and separated from the Americas during the 16th century. Many European countries didn’t recognize civil rights for minorities, were at war with each other, and were trying to find gold to leverage against one another. All of the astronomers in this homework lived in tumultuous times with political and social uncertainty. Consequently, it’s hard to believe that there were enough highly educated aristocrats that could make such important discoveries in astronomy.
