History

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Tue 28 Apr 2009

Galileo travels to Philadelphia

Posted by stargazer under Astronomy , History , Science/Philosophy
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Galileo ExhibitIn the event you have not heard yet, the Galileo exhibit is currently showing at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA.  This appears to be a very cool opportunity to see some of Galileo’s actual instruments.  The exhibit runs from April 4 - September 7.  Ticket prices Adults: $20.75Seniors: $19.75; Children: $14 (ages 4-11).  Advanced tickets are recommended.

 
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Mon 27 Apr 2009

Tycho Brahe: The nose knows!

Posted by stargazer under Astronomy , History , Science/Philosophy
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Tycho Brahe

Tycho Fact #1: Most people know that Tycho lost a considerable piece of his nose in a duel.  Did you know it was by the broadsword of his third cousin Manderup Parsberg and believed to be over Tycho’s announcement that an eclipse on October 28, 1566 predicted the death of Suleiman the Great, a Turkish sultan.  What Tycho did not know was Suleiman six months before.  This became an embarrassing situation for Tycho and source of levity for Parsberg.

Tycho Fact #2: Some of Tycho’s first measyrments were done by lining up a planet with two stars on a taut piece of string.

To learn more about Tycho, I recommend the book Tycho & Kepler, The Unlikely Partnership that forever changed our understanding of the heavens. Kitty Ferguson. Walker Publishing Company.

 
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