Title:   

Copernicus, Kepler, and the Ellipse



Owen Gingerich
Harvard University



Abstract:


Was the ancient notion of 'perfection of the circle' a
theological idea that held astronomy in thrall for more than a
millennium? Did Copernicus fail because he could not throw off
this ancient bondage? Professor Owen Gingerich will trace the
saga of the circle and will argue that sufficiently accurate
observations for the discovery of the ellipse did not become
available until 15 years before Kepler's pioneering
breakthrough. But was it a discovery or a lucky guess? And was
the ellipse really the key to a reformed astronomy? The
communication will present some curious and unexpected findings
from his 'Great Copernicus Chase.'