Scientific revolution

When the Scientific Revolution start, breakthroughs in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology (including human anatomy) and chemistry.

Frontispiece of: Galilei, Galileo (1564-1642). Opere di Galileo Galilei. In Bologna, per gli hh. del Dozza, 1656. 2 v. : ill., 1 ritr. ; 4° (22 cm)

Discover the Italian Renaissance artists. From Michelangelo's David to Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. Read more!

Observatories were present in the ancient world and, in the Middle Ages, in the Muslim world. All that was needed was a stable platform open to the skies.

After Robert Hooke had finished his education and secured his doctorate at Christ Church, Oxford, he assisted Robert Boyle in his work. Robert Hooke is setting up an experiment using the air pump he designed and made. It is taking place at the rear of an apothecary’s shop in Oxford owned by Dr. Cross. Hooke is fitting on the glass globe while Boyle supervises. The artist has used Hooke's own working drawing of the air pump for accuracy.

Galileo’s work marked the birth of modern science. The scientific and philosophical underpinnings of his work inspired scientific revolution, and are some of the most far-reaching of the Renaissance period.

Scientific Revolution, drastic change in scientific thought that took place during the 16th and 17th centuries. A new view of nature emerged during the Scientific Revolution, replacing the Greek view that had dominated science for almost 2,000 years. Learn more about the Scientific Revolution in this article.

"My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that's how I ended up going from being a hobby astronomer to a professional astronomer." - Dimitar Sasselov, Bulgarian

newton first telescope