Tycho Brahe Observes Supernova SN 1572

Date: November 11, 1572 • Location: Rome, Italy

Tycho Brahe observes the supernova SN 1572.

Tycho Brahe, generally called Tycho for short, was a Danish astronomer known for his comprehensive and unprecedentedly accurate astronomical observations which helped to turn astronomy into the first modern science and launch the Scientific Revolution. He was known during his lifetime as an astronomer, astrologer, and alchemist. He was the last major astronomer before the invention of the telescope and has been described as the greatest pre-telescopic astronomer.