ancient astronomers

Eratosthenes

194 BCE

Discovery-He discovered an easy method for finding out prime numbers. That mathematical method is now called the Sieve of Eratosthenes.
important- People in schools use this and other scientist and teachers
time span- 276-194bc

Nicolaus Copernicus

1543

discovery-the Earth, spinning on its axis once daily, revolves annually around the Sun.
important- he made a important contribution to the Scientific Revolution.
time span-1473-1543

Claudius Ptolemy

1543

Discovery- He believed that the Earth was the center of the Universe.
importance-It gives in detail the mathematical theory of the motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Ptolemy made his most original contribution by presenting details for the motions of each of the planets.
time span-1543

Tycho Brahe

1546

discovery-Tycho believed the sun was in the center
important- Without Tycho's accurate observations, Kepler would have never discovered that the planets move in elliptical orbits
time span it occurred-1546-1601

Johannes Kepler

1630

Discovery- planets move around the Sun in orbits shaped like ellipses.
Important-Kepler played a key role in the scientific revolution that occurred in the 17th century, contributing a number of scientific breakthroughs including his famous laws of planetary motion
time span- 1571-1630

Sir Isaac Newton

1680

Discovery- Sir Isaac Newton Invented the Reflective Telescope
important- It was invented during the 1680s by Isaac Newton. These telescopes improved the before used refracting telescopes by giving a clearer picture. Reflecting telescopes also allow larger objects to be seen and are therefore ideal for studying objects in our Solar System.
time span-1643-1727

Albert Einstein

1955

Discovery-The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons or other free carriers when light shines on a material.
important-The photoelectric effect is also widely used to investigate electron energy levels in matter.
time span-1879 - 1955