Johannes Kepler, German Astronomer

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was a German mathematician, astronomer and astrologer. A key figure in the 17th century scientific revolution, he is best known for his works Astronomia nova, Harmonices Mundi, and Epitome of Copernican Astronomy. These works also provided one of the foundations for Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation. Kepler devised the three fundamental laws of planetary motion. These laws were based on detailed observations of the planets made by Tycho Brahe and himself. Kepler's first law states that the planets orbit the Sun in elliptical paths, with the Sun at one focus of the ellipse. The second law states that the closer a planet comes to the Sun, the faster it moves. Kepler's third law states that the ratio of the cube of a planet's mean distance from the Sun to the square of its orbital period is a constant

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1571 1630 Astrologist Astrology Astronomer Astronomia Astronomiae Closer Copernican Elliptical Enhancement Epitome Faster Fundamental Harmonices Johannes Kepler Laws Mathematician Mathematics Moves Mundi Nova Orbit Paths Planetary Planets

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