PHIL202 Timeline

By kjgilman

  • Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): First Two Laws of Planetary Motion

    Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): First Two Laws of Planetary Motion
    Kepler was charged with analyzing Tycho Brahe’s observational data of Mars. Brahe, who sought to predict planet positions, found consistent errors with Mars. Kepler determined that planets had elliptical orbits & that planets moved fastest nearest to the Sun (the focal point). These discoveries formed the basis of his first two Laws of Planetary Motion, published in 1609. Gould, Alan. “Johannes Kepler: His Life, His Laws and Times.” NASA, 24 Sept. 2016, www.nasa.gov/kepler/education/johannes.

  • Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Telescope Tinkering

    Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Telescope Tinkering
    In 1610, Galileo Galilei first observed the four largest moons of Jupiter via a homemade spyglass. Following this event, Kepler responded in support of Galileo's findings about Jupiter's moons and his use of the spyglass. He published Dioptrice, becoming the first to explain how a telescope works.
    Van Helden, Albert. “The Galileo Project: Science: Johannes Kepler.” The Galileo Project | Science | Johannes Kepler, galileo.rice.edu/sci/kepler.html. Accessed 21 May 2023.

  • Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Third Law of Planetary Motion

    Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Third Law of Planetary Motion
    From his initial work with Brahe's data, Kepler sought to determine a correlation between a planet's orbital radius and orbital period. By comparing the orbits of different planets, he was able to confirm with great accuracy how long a planet takes to orbit the Sun based on its ellipse. This established Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion, published in 1619. Lea, Robert. “Kepler’s Third Law: The Movement of Solar System Planets.” Space.Com, 20 Dec. 2021, www.space.com/keplers-third-law.

  • Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Epitome of Copernican Astronomy

    Johannes Kepler (27 Dec 1571 - 15 Nov 1630): Epitome of Copernican Astronomy
    Kepler combined his laws of planetary motion & other recorded evidence that supported the Copernican heliocentric model & published the Epitome of Copernican Astronomy between 1618 & 1621. This work proved to be one of his most influential texts & became a foundation to be used by future mathematicians & astronomers in support of the Copernican model.
    “Astronomical Work of Johannes Kepler.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 30 May 2006, www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Kepler/Astronomical-work.