BRAHE, TYCHO

born Dec. 14, 1546, Knudstrup, Scania, Den. died Oct. 24, 1601, Prague Danish astronomer whose work in developing astronomical instruments and in measuring and fixing the positions of stars paved the way for future discoveries. His observationsthe most accurate possible before the invention of the telescopeincluded a comprehensive study of the solar system and accurate positions of more than 777 fixed stars. Additional reading J.A. Gade, The Life and Times of Tycho Brahe (1947, reprinted 1969), is the best account in English of Tycho's life and contains a fairly complete bibliography. J.L.E. Dreyer, Tycho Brahe (1890, reprinted 1963), presents an authoritative picture of his work and his astronomical instruments, by the astronomer who also prepared his collected works for publication.