Full Name: Tyge (Latinized to Tycho) Brahe

Lived Between: 1546-1601

Nationality: Danish

Primary Occupation: Astronomer

Claim to Fame: In 1572, he observed a new star in the Cassiopeia constellation, a star which is now known as 'Tycho's supernova'.  Soon after discovering the supernova, Tycho set up Uraniborg, one of Europe's first, and most impressive observatories, on his island of Hven.  Brahe's cleverly designed pre-telescope instruments, and the precision of his observations, yielded results that paved the way to better understanding the universe.  In his later years, he was assisted by none other than Johannes Kepler.

Recommended Book(s): Tycho Brahe: A Picture of Scientific Life and Work in the Sixteenth Century -- John L. Dreyer; Hardcover

Recommended Link: www.tychobrahe.com