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Tycho BraheRock Star Astronomer
Tycho Brahe: Early Life
● Tyge Otteson Brahe● Born in 1546 in Skane, Denmark (modern-day
Sweden) into nobility● Adopted a Latinized form of his name: Tycho
Brahe● Was taken by his Uncle Jorgen Brahe “without
the knowledge of his parents” at the age of 2● Lost his nose in a duel ● Studied in Copenhagen, Leipzig and Rostock● A predicted total solar eclipse of August 21,
1560 changed the course of his life
Tycho Brahe: The Later Years
● Became a national treasure to King Frederick II as a distinguished scientist of Denmark
● Preeminent astronomer after Copernicus● Had a penchant for living a flamboyant lifestyle
and drinking copious amounts of alcohol● Moved to Prague in 1599 after quarrelling with
new King of Denmark● Employed Johannes Kepler as assistant in
1600● Died as a result of a bladder infection in 1601,
which allowed Kepler to finally attain his jealously guarded celestial measurements
Uraniborg on Hven: Observatory
● Given as a gift in 1576 to persuade him to stay in Denmark
● Used as a research center, which was unusual for the time
● Threw massive parties ● Fell out of favor with new King
Christian IV in 1588
Uraniborg on Hven: Observatory
“The Improved Mechanic Astronomy”
● Published in 1598● The world had never seen so many or
such reliable instruments● These included armillary spheres,
sextants, quadrants and arcs ● Measured distances above the horizon
and between stars within 1 arcminute● Most famous was the great mural
quadrant at Uraniborg
“The Improved Mechanic Astronomy”
Observing the Heavens: Stella Nova
● Observed a bright “new” star in 1572● This star was actually a supernova within
the constellation Cassiopeia (Denoted by the letter I)
● The precision and accuracy of his observations challenged the current belief that the world beyond the moon’s orbit was unchangeable
Observing the Heavens: The New Astronomy
● A volume of Tycho’s great work, “Introduction to the New Astronomy” was published in 1588
● First volume devoted to his observations of the stella nova (new star) of 1572
● Second Volume devoted to his observations of the comet of 1577
● Third volume was never published
Observing the Heavens: Tychonic System
● Tychonic system of the observable universe
● System combined both the Copernican and Aristotelian systems
● “Geo-heliocentric” - Sun and moon orbited the Earth, but the rest of the known planets orbited the Sun
● Violated neither the laws of physics nor sacred scripture
Observing the Heavens: Tychonic System
Legacy
● Made the most precise astronomical observations to date
● Created new astronomical instruments on his own to make these observations
● Observation of a supernova and comet challenged current beliefs, leading to his geo-heliocentric system (although incorrect)
● Employed Kepler, which lead to crucially important discoveries about the laws of planetary motion
● Lived life like a trust-fund party boy
The Tycho Brahe Lesson
● 50 minute lesson● Intended for ninth grade● Falls in middle of unit on astronomy● 4 different stations ● Activity centered around the instruments Brahe used for his studies
including pictures and short explanations of their significance and purpose● Students record answers to questions provided on handouts● Rotate every 10 minutes● Last 10 minutes will be whole class discussion about students’ findings
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