-
Sep 6, 1522
Ferdinand Magellan Circles the Globe
Ferdinand Magellan's ships arrive in Spain after departing in 1519. 237 people set out on the voyage, and only 18 survived. Not even Ferdinand himself lived to see the voyage completed. -
Jan 1, 1543
De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium Published
Copernicus publishes his most famous work, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium, or On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres. This work states the heliocentric theory. Copernicus stated that the Earth was not the center of the universe as many people believed, but that all the planets, including Earth, revolved around the sun. This theory was initially rejected by many people, most importantly, the Church. -
Brahe-Kepler Collaboration
Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe argue over their models of the solar system. On February 4th, Kepler visits Brahe and studies with him for 2 months. The two continued to have a strong collaboration until Brahe's death in 1601. -
Giordano Bruno Burned at the Stake
Giordano Bruno is burned at the stake for supporting and furthering Copernicus' ideas. He proposed the idea of infinity in the universe, that the sun was just one of infinite celestial bodies in the universe. -
Admonition of Galileo Galilei
Galileo goes to Rome to convince the Catholic Church to lift the ban on Copernicus' writings. He was ordered not to "hold or defend" the heliocentric views of Copernicus. -
The Assayer Published
Galileo was silenced by the Church in 1616 in regards to Copernicus' theory, but he rebounded with The Assayer. The essay argues with Aristotle's methods, including topics such as math, experimentation, and mass. -
Trial of Galileo
Galileo is put on trial with the Roman Inquisition for teaching the works of Copernicus. 7 out of 10 cardinals sign a document placing Galileo under house arrest until he died in 1642. -
Marcello Malpighi Observes Capillaries
Using a telescope, Marcello Malpighi proves that blood circulates by observing the capillaries that connect veins and arteries. -
Isaac Newton Publishes Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Isaac Newton publishes his first work on mathematics in philisophy. The book is considered one of the most important works in science. -
Death of Sir Isaac Newton
On March 31, 1727 (Old Style - March 20, 1727) Sir Isaac Newton died in his sleep in London. He is buried in Westminister Alley. His body was said to have large amounts of mercury in it, most likely coming from from his studies in alchemy.