Tycho Brahe :: Essays Papers

Tycho Brahe Tycho Brahe provided a great deal of information to the science community and will never be forgotten. Brahe had a large influence on the Scientific Revolution and its happenings. Many people in the time of Brahe believed that what is discovered through the Scientific Revolution, about the world, is the truth. Also at this time people believed that the Bible or their faith would surely out weigh reason that was brought by the Scientific Revolution. The are many things that make up Tycho Brahe the person, like his family. Brahe’s family is of old and distinguished nobility. Members of Brahe’s family served the king and their country, in council and on the battlefield. 1 Tycho, the first born son to Otte and Beate Bille-Brahe, in December 1546. Tycho parents named him after his grandfather. Brahe’s childhood made also made up an important part of who he is. Brahe studied law and philosophy at the universities of Copenhagen and Leipzig. Each night after his long day of studies, Brahe would always be found looking at the stars in the night sky, before he went to bed. This some people would say, played a large role in what Brahe should do with his future. Brahe is said to be a colorful character when he is in school. "He allegedly challenged a fellow student to a duel with swords in a dispute over who was the better mathematician. Brahe's nose is partially cut off, and he was said to wear a gold and silver replacement upon which he would continually rub oil."2 After Brahe’s wonderful education he would begin his journey to find out more about the sky and all that is in it. In 1972 Brahe discovered a supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia. "Brahe's meticulous observations showed that the supernova did not change positions with respect to the other stars (no parallax). Therefore, it was a real star, not a local object."3 This is early evidence against the immutable nature of the heavens.4 "In 1577 his studies of a bright comet showed that it traversed the spheres of the planets, and was not an atmospheric exhalation or an ill omen. Both these phenomena contributed to growing dissatisfaction with the Aristotelian belief in the perfect and unchanging nature of the celestial spheres."5 Brahe spent most of his time traveling and lecturing about his discoveries that he would make.