Tycho Brahe, The Island of Hven, and the and the Rundetaarn: The Round Tower Science History Tour 2007 David A Katz David A. Katz Department of Chemistry Pima Community College – West Campus 2202 W A kl 2202 W. Anklam Rd T Rd., Tucson, AZ 85709, USA AZ 85709 USA Voice: 520‐206‐6044 Email: dkatz@pima.edu Web site: http://www chymist com Web site: http://www.chymist.com The Island of Hven Tycho Brahe Museum Tycho Brahe, Danish Astronomer, 14 December 1546 – 24 November 1601 Highlights of The Life of Tycho Brahe • 1566. Tycho Brahe studies in Rostock. During a duel between two noblemen (Tyco was a bystander) part of his nose (Tyco was a bystander), part of his nose was accidentally cut off in an accident. Tycho had an artificial nose made, from an alloy believed to be composed of y p gold, silver and some copper. • In the evening of the 11th of November 1572, Tycho Brahe observed a new star (a super nova) in the constellation (a super nova) in the constellation Cassiopeia and publishes his findings about the "new star", Stella Nova (“I” on the drawing at right) g g ) In 1576, Tycho Brahe received the island Hven from King Fredrik II. , y g • 8 August 1576. The foundation of the castle Uranienborg on the island. • Tycho Brahe studies the stars in his observatory, stars in his observatory, which is mostly underground. • Studies are made by the Studies are made by the naked eye with carefully made instruments producing accurate results. d i t lt • In 1597, Tycho Brahe loses the royal support and leaves the island of support and leaves the island of Hven. • Tycho goes to Wandsbech goes to Wandsbech (near (near Hamburg) and then to Prague. • Emperor Rudolf II gives him the castle Benatky, 30 km from Prague, b h l but he later moves to a house in h Prague suited for observations. • 1600 1600. Johannes Kepler J h K l is employed i l d as an assistant. • 1601. Tycho Brahe dies. (Believed to be by mercury poisoning ) be by mercury poisoning.) • Kepler writes down his last words: "Ne Ne frustra frustra vixisse videar videar" (May I (May I not seemed to have lived in vain). Tycho Brahe’s tomb, Tyn Cathedral, Prague The Tycho Brahe Museum is housed in the former All Saints' Church, Hven Rundetaarn: The Round Tower Rundetaarn: The Round Tower • The great builder of Copenhagen, King Christian IV, laid the first stone of the Round Tower in 1637 stone of the Round Tower in 1637. • The 36 metre high tower was completed as an observatory 1642. • The tower is connected to the Trinitatis church building in the old Latin quarter and right in the heart of Copenhagen. q g p g • The Round Tower is built with a 210 metre long spiral stairway, which leads to the top which leads to the top. • In 1716, the royal Empress Katharina drove up to the top of the T Tower in a horse carriage, with her husband Peter The Great in i h i ith h h b d P t Th G t i front, on horseback, to enjoy the beautiful view over Copenhagen.