1630 in science explained

The year 1630 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Astronomy

• Following his recently completed Rudolphine Tables, Kepler predicts a transit of Mercury on 7 November 1631 and a transit of Venus on 6 December 1631. He writes an "admonition" to astronomers to prepare for observations on these dates, which is published after his death by Jacob Bartsch.^[1]

Mathematics

• Pierre de Fermat studies the curve later known as the "Witch of Agnesi".

Microscopy

• Francesco Stelluti's Latin: Persio tradotto in verso schiolto e dichiarato, published in Rome, is the first book to contain images of organisms viewed through the microscope.^[2]

Technology

• Cornelius Drebbel produces an early form of magic lantern or slide projector.^[3]

Events

• The first laws prohibiting gambling in America are passed.

Births

• July 19 – François Cureau de La Chambre, French physician (died 1680)^[4]
• September 13 – Olof Rudbeck, Swedish physiologist (died 1702)
• October – Isaac Barrow, English mathematician (died 1677)
• possible date – Johann Kunckel, German chemist (died 1703)

Deaths

• November 15 – Johannes Kepler, astronomer (born 1571)
• Federico Cesi, founder of Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, in Rome, Italy (born 1586)
• Johannes Schreck (also known as Johannes Terrenz or Terrentius), explorer (born 1576)

Notes and References

1. The Importance of the Transit of Mercury of 1631 . van Helden . Albert . Journal for the History of Astronomy . 7 . 1 . 1976 . 10.1177/002182867600700101 . 1976JHA.....7....1V . 22091697.
2. Web site: Jeremy. Norman. The First Book to Contain Images of Organisms Viewed through the Microscope (1630). History of Knowledge. 2014-12-02.
3. Book: Richardson, Matthew. The Penguin Book of Firsts. 2001. Penguin Books India. New Delhi. 0-14-302771-9.
4. Book: L'Anthropologie . 1894 . Masson. . 270 . fr.