By me at the New York Times, Kepler is in there: If you head into your backyard this weekend and set up your telescope, the giant planet Saturn will be there for you to see. “Saturn is a spectacular object to look at,” said Damian Peach, an English astrophotographer who frequently observes the giant planet. […]
The 16th century Danish nobleman Tycho Brahe (1546 – 1601) was a Renaissance polymath who was able to indulge his favorite pursuits with his great wealth— a sort of 16th century Elon Musk. The recent discovery of alchemical glassware in Tycho’s laboratory on the Danish island of Ven (a.k.a. Hven) illustrates his passion for all types of knowledge, but it […]
Kepler starts Somnium in Iceland, of which he wrote (in a footnote): In our German language this means “land of ice.” Of this truly remote island I have perceived I can sleep and dream, in imitation of the philosophers who wrote of these [things]. For Cicero crossed into Africa when he was going to dream; […]
