Which German astronomer is best known for his laws of planetary motion and wrote Astronomia nova, Harmonice Mundi, and Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae?

Which German astronomer is best known for his laws of planetary motion and wrote Astronomia nova, Harmonice Mundi, and Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae?

• A. Tycho Brahe
• B. Galileo Galilei
• C. Nicolaus Copernicus
• D. Johannes Kepler

Answer: (D)

Johannes Kepler is the German astronomer who formulated the three laws of planetary motion and wrote the three titles cited. He describes planets moving in ellipses with the Sun at one focus in Astronomia Nova, introduces the equal-area law there, and later develops the third law—relating a planet’s orbital period to the size of its orbit—in Harmonice Mundi. The Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae further systematizes the Copernican model. These works and the associated laws are uniquely tied to Kepler, whereas the other astronomers listed are known for different contributions and writings.

Johannes Kepler is the German astronomer who formulated the three laws of planetary motion and wrote the three titles cited. He describes planets moving in ellipses with the Sun at one focus in Astronomia Nova, introduces the equal-area law there, and later develops the third law—relating a planet’s orbital period to the size of its orbit—in Harmonice Mundi. The Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae further systematizes the Copernican model. These works and the associated laws are uniquely tied to Kepler, whereas the other astronomers listed are known for different contributions and writings.