Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe
Born
Tyge Ottesen Brahe, December 14, 1546
Birthplace
Knutstorp Castle, Scania, Denmark (now in Sweden)
Parents
Otte Brahe and Beate Bille, Danish nobles
Education
University of Copenhagen - age 13
University of Leipzig
University of Wittenberg
University of Rostock
University of Basel
Positions
1574 – 1597 Official Astronomer of Denmark - Uraniborg Research Institute
1597-1601 Imperial Astronomer – Holy Roman Empire, with assistant Johannes Kepler
Died
October 24, 1601, Prague, Czech Republic
Important Contributions
Tycho was one of the few major "naked eye" astronomers, who put forward contributions to astronomy just before telescopes were developed and used widely by astronomers. Tycho was one of the few scientists who refuted the Copernican system and instead used elements of that combines with the Ptolemaic system to create his own Tychonic System. The tychonic system included the earth as the focal point for the solar system with the sun, moon, and other planets orbiting it, mainly for his religious beliefs.
Interesting Facts
- Got into a duel with his third cousin over the legitimacy of a mathematical formula. They eventually made up over it, but not before Tycho's bridge of his nose was damaged. He wore a prosthetic nose for the rest of his life
- Was extremely rich and was granted a mansion and his own island in Denmark where he was able to pursue his scientific studies
- He had a dwarf court jester named Jepp who he believed had psychic powers, he thought he was very funny at parties.
- Had a pet elk which was given to him by his mentor. Sadly the elk died when it consumed large amounts of beer and fell down the stairs while visiting a friends mansion
- Has two craters named after him, one on the Moon, and one on Mars