The Millennium:
A Space and Astronomy Timeline
Century:
10th
| 11th
| 12th
| 13th
| 14th
| 15th
| 16th
| 17th
| 18th
| 19th
| Early 20th
| Late 20th
| 21st
The Second Millennium (1001 - 2000AD)
15th Century (1401 - 1500)
1400s: Ancient texts on geometry by Euclid and geography by Ptolemy, preserved through the Dark Ages by Arab scholars, spark the beginning of modern science during the Renaissance in Europe -- an explosion of creative energy and reawakening of classical interests in beauty, rational inquiry, and the human perspective. Far-reaching changes that take place in European culture bring a new kind of scientist, interested in both the theoretical knowledge of the academy and the technical skills of the artisan.
1455: Gutenberg uses the movable-type printing press. It comes to be considered the most important technological innovation of the 15th century. Classical works of literature and natural inquiry collected from monasteries and church libraries by Renaissance scholars turned into a flood of new editions and translations, which stimulated advances in science and technology.
1471: Pliny sets up the first European observatory.
1471: The German astronomer Regiomontanus, originally named Johann Muller, reports his observations of what would be known later as Halley's Comet. He plays an important role in the revival of Renaissance astronomy when Copernicus notices his comment that Ptolemy's lunar theory required the diameter of the Moon to vary much more than is observed.
1492: Columbus reaches the New World.
1400s: The 15th century blending of art and science is epitomized by Leonardo da Vinci, painter, engineer, and student of biology, mathematics, physics, optics and geology.
Timeline Century:
10th
| 11th
| 12th
| 13th
| 14th
| 15th
| 16th
| 17th
| 18th
| 19th
| Early 20th
| Late 20th
| 21st
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