Johannes Kepler was from Germany. He was a great mathematician and astronomer. Kepler was a key figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century.
He is best known for his law of planetary motion. Kepler’s work provided the base for Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. Along with this he also made a significant contribution in Geography and optics.
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Time and place of birth
He was born on 27 December 1571, in the free imperial city of Weil der Stadt, of the Roman Empire.
Johannes Kepler Early life
Johannes Kepler was born in a rich family but at the time of his birth, his family’s fortune was declining. He was born to Heinrich Kepler and Katharina Guldenmann. Kepler was born prematurely, that’s why he is not a strong child.
Kepler’s grandfather was the lord mayor of the Weil der Stadt at the time of his birth.
His father died in his early childhood in the Netherlands in the Eighty Year’s wars. Kepler fell in love with astronomy at an early age when he first saw a comet at the age of six. Thereafter his love for astronomy increased with his age.
Johannes Kepler Adulthood
At the age of 22 in 1594 Kepler became a teacher of mathematics and astronomy. In 1595 Kepler met Barbara muller who was a widow and mother of a girl. In 1597 he married the Barabara. Kepler had three children from this marriage, two sons and a daughter.
Kepler refused to convert to catholicism in 1600 and in 1601 he was appointed as an imperial mathematician. In 1613 Kepler married a second time with Susanna Reuttinger. In 1628 he became an advisor of general Wallenstein who was a military general of emperor Ferdinand.
Johannes Kepler Death
Before his death, Kepler was living in Regensburg and died on 15 November 1630 in this city and he was buried here also.
Education and career
Kepler passed grammar school in 1589. He studied theology and philosophy at the University of Tubingen. In 1590 he became a chancellor at the University of Tubingen. At the age of 22, he became a teacher of mathematics and astronomy at the protestant school in Granz. He became an imperial mathematician in 1601 and remained at this post for the next 11 years. ‘
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Interesting facts about Johannes Kepler
- Kepler suffered from Smallpox in his childhood.
- Kepler was the inventor of eyeglasses for weak eyesight.
- He was the first astronomer to observe a supernova. He achieved this feat in 1604.
- There is a mountain in New Zealand named after him.
- Kepler made significant changes in Galileo’s Telescope and it was known as the Keplerian telescope.
Mathematical Achievement
Kepler did most of the recognized works in astronomy. But he did make some contribution in maths also. In 1611 first time he mentioned the hexagonal symmetry of snowflakes. He was the first man to do so.
Johannes Kepler Contribution
His major contribution was in astronomy but as I mentioned above. He was the first to recognize the hexagonal symmetry. Apart from this, his major contribution was the law of planetary motion.
He was the first man to recognize a supernova. Along with this, he did a great job in optics by making eyeglasses for weak eyesight. Kepler also made some significant changes in Galileo’s telescope and made its own version of it.
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Books Written by Kepler
- Harmonices Mundi
- Astronomia nova
- Epitome of Copernican astronomy
- Somnium
- Mysterium cosmographicum
- Rudolphine tables
- Dioptrice
- De Stella Nova
- Astronomiae pars Optica
- Vom sechseckigen schnee
- Dissertatio cum Nuncio sidereo
Quotes by Johannes Kepler
Nature uses as little as possible of anything.
Truth is the daughter of time, and I feel no shame being with her wife.
Discover the force of the skies O Man: once recognized it can be put to use. Kepler
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FAQ
What are Kepler’s Three Laws?
Kepler’s three laws are known as the laws of planetary motion.
Who is Kepler and what is considered his greatest discoveries?
Kepler was a famous German Mathematician and astronomer his most significant work is laws of planetary motion.
What is the closest Kepler planet?
Proxima Centauri
Does Kepler’s third law apply on the Moon?
No, Kepler’s third law is only applicable on the planets not on the Moons.
See also
Germany is very lucky to have so many great scientists and mathematicians. Like Einstein, Gauss, Hilbert, Grothendiek and Gottlob Frege.
