Johannes Kepler
Johannes Kepler was a German astronomer and mathematician of the early 17th century whose three laws of planetary motion established that planets orbit the sun in ellipses rather than perfect circles.
His work provided the mathematical foundation for Newton's theory of gravity.
Kepler also made contributions to optics and is considered a key figure in the scientific revolution.
Transformative change in understanding
- 17th centuryYears 1601-1700
- BaroqueOrnate artistic period
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- natural philosophyHistorical term for science
Isaac Newton · René Descartes · empiricism · Holy Roman Empire · Thirty Years War · Counter-Reformation · Habsburg · Lutheran
Oval-shaped celestial path
- planetary motionMovement of worlds around stars
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
- aphelionFarthest point from sun
heliocentrism · Copernican · focus · revolution · sweep · astronomical unit
Renaissance astronomical observer
- ephemerisCelestial body position chart
- star catalogIndex of celestial objects
- supernovaExploding massive star
- celestial sphereImaginary dome of stars
Science of spatial relationships
- polyhedraMulti-faced geometric solids
- Platonic solidsFive perfectly symmetrical 3D shapes
- logarithmExponent-determining mathematical operation
- conic sectionsCurves from plane-cone intersections
infinitesimals · Archimedean · integral · measurement · solid geometry · ellipse · mathematical proof
Wave bending between media
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- visionAbility to see
- camera obscuraDark chamber, projected image
pinhole · eyepiece · magnification · focal length · aperture · convex lens
scientific revolution
Transformative change in understanding
- 17th centuryYears 1601-1700
- BaroqueOrnate artistic period
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
natural philosophy · Isaac Newton · René Descartes · empiricism · Holy Roman Empire · Thirty Years War · Counter-Reformation · Habsburg · Lutheran · Prague
elliptical orbit
Oval-shaped celestial path
- planetary motionMovement of worlds around stars
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
aphelion · heliocentrism · Copernican · focus · revolution · sweep · astronomical unit
Tycho Brahe
Renaissance astronomical observer
- ephemerisCelestial body position chart
- star catalogIndex of celestial objects
- supernovaExploding massive star
celestial sphere · conjunction · transit · eclipse prediction · observatory
geometry
Science of spatial relationships
- polyhedraMulti-faced geometric solids
- Platonic solidsFive perfectly symmetrical 3D shapes
- logarithmExponent-determining mathematical operation
conic sections · infinitesimals · Archimedean · integral · measurement · solid geometry · ellipse · mathematical proof
refraction
Wave bending between media
camera obscura · pinhole · eyepiece · magnification · focal length · aperture · convex lens
- PhysicistsAlbert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Richard Feynman, Enrico Fermi, Max Planck
- German FiguresOtto von Bismarck, Bach, Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Goethe
- AstronomersGalileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, Edwin Hubble, Carl Sagan, Tycho Brahe
- Rudolfine PraguePrague Castle, Tycho Brahe, cabinet of curiosities, court painters, Prague School
- astrologyastrology, zodiac, horoscope, horoscopes, birth chart
- historical figureshistorical figures, leaders, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Joan of Arc
Johannes Kepleralchemists
Seekers of elemental transformation
astrologers · mystics · occultists · Nostradamus · scholastics
Johannes KeplerRoman Inquisition
Catholic Church's heresy-hunting institution