Date context
1546–1601
An observer and his instruments
Born into a Danish noble family, Tycho devoted his career to astronomy. Large angular instruments, repeated measurements and attention to observational errors improved his records of stars and planets. This programme preceded the regular use of telescopes in astronomy.
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The new star of 1572
The bright new star of 1572 became an important subject of his research. By examining its position and parallax, Tycho placed it in the distant heavens. Its appearance challenged the inherited view that the celestial region beyond the Moon was unchanging.
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Observatories on Hven
With royal support he developed Uraniborg and Stjerneborg on Hven. Assistants, instrument-makers and sustained record-keeping formed an organized observing programme. Its precision depended on maintained equipment and collective labour as well as Tycho’s individual observational judgement.
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Records used in a new theory
Tycho later moved to Prague, where Kepler joined him. After Tycho died in 1601, Kepler used the precise records, especially of Mars, to develop his laws of planetary motion. Tycho’s observational achievement should be distinguished from Kepler’s mathematical interpretation.