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140
Claudius Ptolemy
In several fields his writings represent the culminating achievement of Greco-Roman science, particularly his geocentric (Earth-centred) model of the universe now known as the Ptolemaic system. -
1532
Nicolaus Copernicus
When virtually everyone believed Earth was the center of the universe, Polish scientist Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the planets instead revolved around the sun. Although his model wasn't completely correct, it formed a strong foundation for future scientists to build on and improve mankind's understanding of the motion of heavenly bodies. -
Johannes Kepler
He discovered three major laws of planetary motion, conventionally designated as follows: (1) the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus (2) the time necessary to traverse an arc of a planetary orbit and (3) there is an exact relationship between the squares of the planets. -
Galileo Galilei
Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei provided a number of scientific insights that laid the foundation for future scientists. His investigation of the laws of motion and improvements on the telescope helped further the understanding of the world and universe around him. -
Edmond Halley
Edmond (or Edmund) Halley was an English scientist who is best known for predicting the orbit of the comet that was later named after him. -
William Herschel
He discovered the planet Uranus and several moons around other gas giants. -
Discovery of the first four asteroids
During the 18th century, astronomers were fascinated by a mathematical expression called Bode's law. -
Urbain Le Verrier
Urbain Le Verrier was able to discover Neptune with maths instaed of looking threw a telesope like most of the other planets. -
Urbain Le Verrier
He was able to discover neptune with maths instead of searching the skies. -
Clyde Tombaugh
Clyde Tombaugh made the first discovery of a dwarf planet, Pluto. -
Voyagers 1 and 2
Voyager 1 is a space probe launched by NASA on September 5, 1977. Part of the Voyager program to study the outer Solar System, Voyager 1 launched 16 days after its twin, Voyager 2.
