Tycho Brahe’s Astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Photo January 2012.
Something a little different this week, since I’m in a bit of a ‘history of astronomy’ mood right now…
I’ve posted at least one other photo from this exhibit from my university’s Harry Ransom Center that was put on during the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Austin in 2012. It was smaller than the exhibit they did during the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, but still showcased some of their impressive collection of historical astronomy works, including a lot of the papers of the Herschel family.
One of the works on display was Tycho Brahe’s Astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata that was published in 1602, shortly after his death. This page shows some of Tycho’s observations of De Nova Stella Anni 1572, i.e. the supernova that we now commonly call “Tycho’s Supernova”. And while this obviously occurred during Tudor times (which someday will show up in that Tudor-era astronomy book I keep threatening to write) there may be another connection between this supernova and English history – it may be referenced in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If you’re interested in learning more (and don’t want to wait for me to write about it in that Tudor-era astronomy book I keep threatening to write), see the works of Texas State University’s Profesor Emeritus Donald Olson, especially his book Celestial Sleuth. (Fun little piece of trivia – Texas State University is the alma mater of both of my mom’s parents, although WAY back when it was called Southwest Texas State Teachers College!)
