Tycho BraheRock Star Astronomer

Tycho Brahe: Early Life

● Tyge Otteson Brahe● Born in 1546 in Skane, Denmark (modern-day

Sweden) into nobility● Adopted a Latinized form of his name: Tycho

Brahe● Was taken by his Uncle Jorgen Brahe “without

the knowledge of his parents” at the age of 2● Lost his nose in a duel ● Studied in Copenhagen, Leipzig and Rostock● A predicted total solar eclipse of August 21,

1560 changed the course of his life

Tycho Brahe: The Later Years

● Became a national treasure to King Frederick II as a distinguished scientist of Denmark

● Preeminent astronomer after Copernicus● Had a penchant for living a flamboyant lifestyle

and drinking copious amounts of alcohol● Moved to Prague in 1599 after quarrelling with

new King of Denmark● Employed Johannes Kepler as assistant in

1600● Died as a result of a bladder infection in 1601,

which allowed Kepler to finally attain his jealously guarded celestial measurements

Uraniborg on Hven: Observatory

● Given as a gift in 1576 to persuade him to stay in Denmark

● Used as a research center, which was unusual for the time

● Threw massive parties ● Fell out of favor with new King

Christian IV in 1588

Uraniborg on Hven: Observatory

“The Improved Mechanic Astronomy”

● Published in 1598● The world had never seen so many or

such reliable instruments● These included armillary spheres,

sextants, quadrants and arcs ● Measured distances above the horizon

and between stars within 1 arcminute● Most famous was the great mural

quadrant at Uraniborg

“The Improved Mechanic Astronomy”

Observing the Heavens: Stella Nova

● Observed a bright “new” star in 1572● This star was actually a supernova within

the constellation Cassiopeia (Denoted by the letter I)

● The precision and accuracy of his observations challenged the current belief that the world beyond the moon’s orbit was unchangeable

Observing the Heavens: The New Astronomy

● A volume of Tycho’s great work, “Introduction to the New Astronomy” was published in 1588

● First volume devoted to his observations of the stella nova (new star) of 1572

● Second Volume devoted to his observations of the comet of 1577

● Third volume was never published

Observing the Heavens: Tychonic System

● Tychonic system of the observable universe

● System combined both the Copernican and Aristotelian systems

● “Geo-heliocentric” - Sun and moon orbited the Earth, but the rest of the known planets orbited the Sun

● Violated neither the laws of physics nor sacred scripture

Observing the Heavens: Tychonic System

Legacy

● Made the most precise astronomical observations to date

● Created new astronomical instruments on his own to make these observations

● Observation of a supernova and comet challenged current beliefs, leading to his geo-heliocentric system (although incorrect)

● Employed Kepler, which lead to crucially important discoveries about the laws of planetary motion

● Lived life like a trust-fund party boy

The Tycho Brahe Lesson

● 50 minute lesson● Intended for ninth grade● Falls in middle of unit on astronomy● 4 different stations ● Activity centered around the instruments Brahe used for his studies

including pictures and short explanations of their significance and purpose● Students record answers to questions provided on handouts● Rotate every 10 minutes● Last 10 minutes will be whole class discussion about students’ findings