istoryworld
Astronomy and Space timeline
An unimaginably large explosion from an unimaginably small particle - according to modern theory the first moment of the universe
Sirius rises in this year on the first day of the first Egyptian month - a rare event which possibly launches the Egyptian calendar system
Babylonian astronomers name many of the constellations and identify the planets
Thales of Miletus, traditionally the first philosopher, is credited with the prediction of a solar eclipse
The Greeks develop the Babylonian theme of the zodiac, naming it the zodiakos kyklos or circle of animals
The followers of Pythagoras maintain that the earth revolves on its own axis and moves in an orbit
Eudoxus of Cnidus proposes the concept of transparent spheres supporting the bodies visible in the heavens
On the small Greek island of Samos an astronomer, Aristarchus, comes to the startling conclusion that the earth is in orbit round the sun
The Greek astronomer Hipparchus is credited with the invention of the astrolabe, measuring the angle of sun or star above the horizon
The Greek astronomer Hipparchus, mapping the stars, observes but cannot explain the precession of the equinoxes
Hipparchus completes the first scientific star catalogue, mapping some 850 stars
The Maya introduce a calendar which has a cycle of fifty-two years, known as the Calendar Round
Julius Caesar's new calendar is introduced, at a time when its predecessor has become out of step with the seasons by three months
The Jewish calendar, deriving originally from the example of Babylon, is given its lasting form
Astronomers in China and Japan observe the explosion of the supernova which is still visible as the Crab Nebula
Halley's comet, appearing in the Normans' annus mirabilis, is later depicted in the Bayeux tapestry
Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus publishes a book suggesting that the earth moves round the sun
Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe builds Uraniborg, on the island of Hven, and makes it the world's leading observatory
The new and more accurate Gregorian calendar is introduced by Gregory XIII in the papal states
Tycho Brahe enters the service of the emperor Rudolf II in Prague, where he invites Johannes Kepler to join him
Johannes Kepler, in Prague, puts forward the radical proposition that the planets move in elliptical rather than circular orbits
Galileo, with his new powerful telescope, observes the moons of Jupiter and spots moving on the surface of the sun
Galileo publishes his evidence, from sun spots, proving Copernicus right and Ptolemy wrong on the solar system
The Inquisition convicts Galileo of heresy and he denies the truth of Copernicus - on being shown the instruments of torture
