The first printed edition of Tycho's 1004 star catalogue
Abstract
One of the most important contribution to astronomy by Tycho Brahe has been the preparation of a star catalogue based on new observations. It is known in two versions, the shorter with 777 stars, was published in the first volume of Astronomiae Instauratae Progymnasmata, published in 1602 after Tycho's death. The longest version, containing 1004 stars, was distributed in manuscript form by Tycho himself only to important people, scientists and rulers, of his time as testified by the extant copies. This version is commonly considered to be printed for the first time by Kepler as an appendix to the Rudolphine Tables. Indeed it was printed in 1604 by a little known Italian mathematician, Francesco Pifferi, who, using the manuscripts sent to Magini and to the Venice Republic, inserted the new star catalogue in his Italian translation of Clavius' In Sphaeram Ioannis de Sacro Bosco commentarius. This work had very little distribution and the few references to it in contemporary works did not mentioned the new additions so it was completely forgotten.
- Publication:
-
Acta Historica Astronomiae
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002AcHA...16..310T