Astronomers and Their Discoveries Throughout History

Aristarchus of Samos

310 BCE

Widely accredited with creating the first heliocentric model long before Copernicus, Aristarchus was a Greek astronomer and mathematician. When he first hypothesized the model to his peers, Aristarchus was quickly rejected. He also attempted to determine the size of the sun and moon. Aristarchus lived from c. 310 BCE to c. 230 BCE and had four children. 𓇻 Mark, J. J., & Konstable. (2024). Aristarchus of Samos. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Aristarchus_of_Samos/

Naburimannu

300 BCE

Not much is known about Babylonian astronomer Naburimannu. His name has been found in both cuneiform and Greek texts. He is remembered for calculating the time of the synodic month nearly perfectly, his estimation being just three digits off.
*Lived anywhere between 3-6th century BCE 𓇻 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Nabu-Rimanni | Mesopotamian, Astronomy & Astrology. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nabu-rimanni

Eratosthenes

276 BCE

Greek astronomer, geographer, and mathematician, Eratosthenes is recognized for his work, primarily about calculating both the circumference and axis tilt of Earth. Born in Cyrene in 276 BCE, he later moved to Athens to study at Plato's school (or so it is speculated) before relocating to Alexandria for the rest of his life. Eratosthenes died in 195 BCE. 𓇻 Mark, J. J., & Lookang. (2023). Eratosthenes. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Eratosthenes/

Ptolemy

100

The majority of Ptolemy's astronomical theories have been since debunked, such as his geocentric model. However one of his writings, the Almagest, did have detailed descriptions of constellations which would become the basis for a handful of the 88 modern constellations. Little is known about Ptolemy's private life. He lived from 100 to 170 CE. 𓇻 Jones, A. R. (2024, May 21). Ptolemy | Accomplishments, Biography, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ptolemy

Nicolaus Copernicus

Feb 19, 1473

Born in Poland in 1473, Nicolaus Copernicus is a famed astronomer and polymath. He is recognized by the scientific community for publishing his heliocentric theory, which became the basis for the work of other famous astronomers, such as Galileo and Newton. Copernicus didn't have any spouses or children that we know of, but he died in 1543 shortly after releasing his findings and his remains were finally found in 2005. 𓇻 https://www.biography.com/scientists/nicolaus-copernicus

Galileo Galilei

Feb 15, 1564

Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei is revered for his discovery of craters on Earth's moon as well as for documenting four of Jupiter's moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, now dubbed the Galilean moons. Although the Church would later persecute him, Galileo was also vocal about supporting a heliocentric model. Galilei would die under house arrest in 1642 at age 77. 𓇻 Mullen, M. (2023, June 6). Galileo Galilei. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/galileo-galilei#section_3

Johannes Kepler

Dec 27, 1571

Kepler is still one of the most prominent astronomers even centuries after his passing in 1630. He discovered that all planets in our solar system have elliptical orbits and created the laws of planetary motion. Kepler's work also affirmed Copernicus's heliocentric model. He was married twice and had 11 children with both wives. 𓇻 New Mexico Museum of Space History. (2023, March 8). Johannes Kepler - New Mexico Museum of Space History. https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/johannes-kepler/

William Herschel

Nov 15, 1738

Having discovered Uranus and theorized about infrared radiation within the universe, William Herschel's achievements are no doubt still important today. The German-British astronomer also collaborated with his sister and fellow peer, Caroline, who discovered multiple comets alongside her brother. William died in 1822 at age 83. 𓇻 Famous Scientists. (2018, July 11). William Herschel - biography, facts and pictures. https://www.famousscientists.org/william-herschel/#google_vignette

Edwin Hubble

Nov 20, 1889

Credited with discovering different galaxies past the Milky Way and the universe's steady but constant expansion, Edwin Hubble was an American astronomer who lived between 1889 and 1953. His achievements got the Hubble Space Telescope named after him. Edwin served in both WW1 and WW2. He was married to Grace Burke and the couple had no children. 𓇻 Edwin Hubble - NASA Science. (n.d.). https://science.nasa.gov/people/edwin-hubble/

Gerard Kuiper

Dec 7, 1905

Gerard Kuiper was a Dutch astronomer who lived from 1905 to 1973. Kuiper is known for proposing the Kuiper Belt, though its existence was only proven in 1992. He also correctly predicted Saturn's ice rings and Mars's CO2 atmosphere. He had two children with his wife, Sara Parker Fuller, and died on his vacation with her in 1973. 𓇻 Gerard Peter Kuiper :: New Netherland Institute. (n.d.). https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/history-and-heritage/dutch_americans/gerard-peter-kuiper