• Period: 1500 to

    Timeline of Astronomy

  • 1543

    Copernicus proposes that the Earth spins on it's axis.

  • 1543

    Nicolaus Copernicus proposes the heliocentric model, claiming that the Sun is at the center of the universe.

    Nicolaus Copernicus proposes the heliocentric model, claiming that the Sun is at the center of the universe.
  • Galileo Galilei creates the laws of motion, laying the foundation for Newton's laws.

    Galileo Galilei creates the laws of motion, laying the foundation for Newton's laws.
  • Galileo discovers that the tides are caused by the Sun and Moon.

  • Kepler discovers that ALL the planets have elliptical orbits.

  • Galileo improves the telescope to enhance the view.

  • Johannes Kepler proposes the first laws of planetary motion.

    Johannes Kepler proposes the first laws of planetary motion.
  • Issac Newton invents the reflecting telescope

    Issac Newton invents the reflecting telescope
  • Newton develops his three laws of motion

  • Newton develops the law of universal gravitation

  • Albert Einstein develops the Theory of Special Relativity

    Albert Einstein develops the Theory of Special Relativity
  • Einstein develops E=mc^2, which helps to explain how the large amount of energy causes the Sun and stars to shine

  • Henrietta Swann Leavitt develops Leavitt's Law (Period-Lumosity Relation) which establishes the relationship between the period of pulsation and the absolute magnitude of Cepheid variable stars, which allows them to determine their distance from Earth.

    Henrietta Swann Leavitt develops Leavitt's Law (Period-Lumosity Relation) which establishes the relationship between the period of pulsation and the absolute magnitude of Cepheid variable stars, which allows them to determine their distance from Earth.
  • Einstein develops the Theory of General of Relativity

  • Edwin Hubble discovers and proves that there are more galaxies beyond the Milky Way

    Edwin Hubble discovers and proves that there are more galaxies beyond the Milky Way
  • Hubble develops Hubble's Law which observes that galaxies are moving further apart.

  • Stephen Hawking develops the area theorem (Black Hole Theory)

    Stephen Hawking develops the area theorem (Black Hole Theory)
  • Carl Sagan begins to promote the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

    Carl Sagan begins to promote the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
  • Hawking develops the Cosmic Inflation Theory

  • Carolyn S. Shoemaker discovers the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

    Carolyn S. Shoemaker discovers the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9