Astronomy Practice Exam

Which astronomer worked as an astronomer for 20 years and contributed significantly to the field?

1. Ptolemy

2. Tycho Brahe

3. Johannes Kepler

4. Galileo Galilei

The correct answer is: Tycho Brahe

Tycho Brahe is renowned for his extensive and meticulous observational work in astronomy over a span of 20 years, primarily during the late 16th century. He is particularly celebrated for developing precise instruments that allowed him to collect detailed data on celestial bodies without the aid of a telescope—an innovation at that time. His most notable contributions include a comprehensive star catalog and detailed observations of planetary positions, which were unparalleled prior to the invention of the telescope. Brahe's empirical data became fundamental for the work of his assistant Johannes Kepler, who would later derive his laws of planetary motion from Brahe's observations. This collaborative relationship illustrates the importance of Brahe's work in shaping subsequent astronomical theories and methods. His insistence on empirical observation laid important groundwork for modern astronomy, making his contributions pivotal to the development of the field.