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May 15, 1543
Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres by:Nicolaus Copernicus Published
His book was about why the earth was not the center of the universe, the sun was. Copernicus elucisated that the universe was made up of 8 spheres. The outermost one consisted of motionless stars (including the sun as the center). Next was the planets known at that time (Mercury-Saturn), the planets moved in a circle around the Sun. The moon was said to revovlve around the earth in a circle. It was also said that instead of everything spinning around the earth, the earth spun on its own axis. -
Period: May 15, 1543 to
The Scientific Revolution
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Dec 13, 1545
Council of Trent
It is though to be on eof the most importanat council meetings of the Catholic Church. The council took place in Trent, Italy. About 255 people attended the last session. This was a recation to the Protestant Reformation that sweeping the nations. The Catholic church used this meeting to fix some of the problems they had. It was hard to get things done during the council because it kept getting delayed due to political or religous disagreements. The next council wouldn't occur for 300 more years -
May 20, 1570
"Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" or "Theatre of the World" Published
"Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" is thought to be the first modern atlas. It was written by Abraham Ortelius. Sometimes this atlas is referred to as a summery of cartorgraphy in the 16th-century. Ortelius based his sources off a list that identified cartographers that would have remained unknown. After the release of his atlas, Ortelius made revisions to his maps until his death. -
Giordano Bruno Burned at the Stake
He was imprisoned in Rome for seven years. He was convicted for several things including blasphemy, immoral conduct, and heresy. After he was named guilty he supposedly gave a threatening gesture and said, "Perhaps you pronounce this sentence against me with greater fear than I receive it". Giordano Bruno was bruned at the stake for heresy at Campo de' Fiori. His ashes were dumped into the Tiber river. -
The Telescope is Invented
Hans Lippershey is thought to have invented the telescope in the Netherlands. He was a lensmaker, and some say that Lippershey came across the telescope (known as the Dutch Perspective Glass when first invented) while observing two children playing with lenses. One of the children commented that they could make something far away seem near. Thus creating the telescope -
William Harvey Named Lumleian Lecturer
William Harvery is known for his detailed description of the circulatory system. One big step for him was being appointed Lumleian Lecturer. Each Lumleian Lecturer held the position for 7 years, and their purpose was to spread basic knowledge of anatomy. Harvey didn't begin to lecture until April 1616. He was 37 years old, and described as "a man of lowest stature, round faced; his eyes small, round, very black and full of spirit; his hair as black as a raven and curling" -
First Sight of Transit of Mercury
Pierre Gassendi was the first person to see the transit of a planet. He tried to see the Transit of Venus in December, but it occured at night. Such event occurs when the planet is comes between the Sun and the Earth. The planet looks like a small black dot moving across the sun's surface. The transit can occur during May (intervals of 13 or 33 years) or November (interval of 7, 13, or 33 years). -
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems by: Galileo Published
Galileo Galilei compared the discoveries of Copernicus to old ways (Ptolemaic System). Galileo stated that the Earth was NOT the center of the universe, the sun was. That basic statement caused a huge uproar in the Catholic Church. 5 months after publishing this book the Roman Inquisition began questioning Galileo.
Galileo wrote the book as a series of discussions between 2 philosophers and a well educated commener -
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy by: Issac Newton Published
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy is often referred to as "Principia" or "Principiles". There are actually three volumes to the book, the first was published July 5, 1687, the second in 1713, and the third in 1726. The first volume states Newton's Three Laws of Motion, forms the foundation for the classical mechanics, and Newton's law of universal gravitation. -
The First Sighting of Uranus
When John Flamsteed first spotted Uranus, he thought it was a star. Flamsteed first marked it down "34 Tauri". Pierre Lemonnier observed Uranus at least 12 times (once for 4 days straight) during 1750-1769. Another astronomer, William Herschel thought Uranus was a comet at first.
