Science · Literature · 1546–1601
Born: 14 December 1546 · Died: 24 October 1601 · Age: 54
Danish astronomer whose precise naked-eye observations from his island observatory allowed Kepler to discover planetary laws
Did you know?He lost part of his nose in a duel with a fellow student and wore a replacement made of metal for the rest of his life.
Tycho Brahe made the most accurate measurements of the sky before the telescope. A Danish nobleman, he built a great observatory on the island of Hven. He showed that a new star in 1572 lay far beyond the Moon. That proved the heavens could change. His careful records later allowed Kepler to discover the laws of planetary motion. He wore a metal nose after losing part of his own in a duel. He kept a tame elk.
Tycho Brahe ( TY-koh BRAH-(h)ee, - BRAH(-hə); Danish:; born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, Danish:; 14 December 1546 – 24 October 1601), generally called Tycho for short, was a Danish astronomer known for his comprehensive and unprecedentedly accurate astronomical observations which helped to turn astronomy into the first…
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Danish astronomer, 1546–1601
Tycho Brahe was born at Knutstorp Castle, then in Denmark, on 14 December 1546.
He observed a new star in 1572.
He built Uraniborg on the island of Hven.
He moved to Prague in 1599.
Career highlights
Did you know?His tame elk is said to have died after drinking too much beer and falling down stairs.
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