Johannes Kepler
Johannes Kepler
Johannes Keplerwas a German mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer. A key figure in the 17th century scientific revolution, he is best known for his laws of planetary motion, based on his works Astronomia nova, Harmonices Mundi, and Epitome of Copernican Astronomy. These works also provided one of the foundations for Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth27 December 1571
CountryGermany
vectors equal radius
The radius vector describes equal areas in equal times.
distance mean squares
The squares of the periodic times are to each other as the cubes of the mean distances.
two space together
If two stones were placed... near each other, and beyond the sphere of influence of a third cognate body, these stones, like two magnetic needles, would come together in the intermediate point, each approaching the other by a space proportional to the comparative mass of the other.
distance fall moon
If the moon and earth were not retained in their orbits by their animal force or some other equivalent, the earth would mount to the moon by a fifty-fourth part of their distance, and the moon fall towards the earth through the other fifty-three parts, and they would there meet, assuming, however, that the substance of both is of the same density.
mind creation geometry
Geometry existed before the creation. It is co-eternal with the mind of God...Geometry provided God with a model for the Creation...
stars men void
When ships to sail the void between the stars have been built, there will step forth men to sail these ships.
sky mind shadow
I measured the skies, now the shadows I measure, Sky-bound was the mind, earth-bound the body rests. [Kepler's epitaph]
experiments
Without proper experiments I conclude nothing.
circles dwelling together
On how the motion of a planet defines its sphere: ... and thus it comes about gradually by the linking and accumulation of a great many revolutions that a kind of concave sphere is displayed, having the same center as the Sun, just as by a great many circles of silken thread, linked with each other and wound together, the dwelling of a silkworm is made.
stars sides earth
The Earth is round, and is inhabited on all sides, is insignificantly small, and is borne through the stars.
distance would-be earth
But although the attractive virtue of the earth extends upwards, as has been said, so very far, yet if any stone should be at a distance great enough to become sensible compared with the earth's diameter, it is true that on the motion of the earth such a stone would not follow altogether; its own force of resistance would be combined with the attractive force of the earth, and thus it would extricate itself in some degree from the motion of the earth.
simplicity unity consciousness
Nature loves simplicity and unity.
astrology belief excitement
A most unfailing experience... of the excitement of sublunary (that is, human) natures by the conjunctions and aspects of the planets has instructed and compelled my unwilling belief.
borne earth inhabited means
I demonstrate by means of philosophy that the earth is round, and is inhabited on all sides; that it is insignificantly small, and is borne through the stars.