Tycho Brahe
Bernard Lovell introduces a particularly striking figure in the history of science, Tycho Brahe. This princely astronomer, whose observatory took the form of a fantastic castle, made the series of precious observations from which Kepler evolved his three great laws of planetary movement.
On the last Sunday in April I made a pilgrimage to the Island of Hven. A few days earlier when I left England the cherries were already in bloom, but here the ice had only just disappeared from the Sound and the tug-boat was enveloped in a grey cold mist. As the helmsman peered ahead for a familiar landfall, the scene was timeless and I wondered how often Tycho Brahe had watched this coast slowly take shape from the mist.
From the small harbour of Baeckviken a single road traverses the island. Perhaps in the holiday season there would be some sign of activity enticing the traveller onwards to Uraniebörg, but on this afternoon all was peaceful and deserted. Hven is a small island, however, and the foghorns of the opposite coast soon encourage the walker. Just before the road begins to descend again to the sea, one is suddenly confronted with the reconstructed cupolas of Tycho’s observatory.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.