The bizarre life (and murder?) of Tycho Brahe

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Tycho de brahe

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Tycho Brahe, in the words of Wikipedia, was a "Danish nobleman known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical and planetary observations." In fact, this pioneering gentleman-scientist made the most accurate astronomical observations and calculations of his time - and served as a mentor to the better-known astronomer Johannes Kepler. All told, Brahe made many important contributions to the fledgling science of astronomy. His life, however, was far stranger and more fascinating than a cursory glance at his biography might have you think. From the New York Times:

When Danish and Czech scientists exhumed the remains of the astronomer Tycho Brahe in Prague this month, they dug up much more than some bones and hairs. They found something that has eluded astronomers for thousands of years: a story with major box-office potential.

It's "Amadeus" meets "Da Vinci Code" meets "Hamlet," featuring a deadly struggle for the secret of the universe between Tycho, the swashbuckling Danish nobleman with a gold-and-silver prosthetic nose, and the not-yet-famous Johannes Kepler, his frail, jealous German assistant. The story also includes an international hit man, hired after a Danish prince becomes king and suspects Brahe of sleeping with his mother (and maybe being his father!).

For comic relief, there's a beer-drinking pet elk wandering around Tycho's castle, as well as a jester named Jepp, a dwarf who sits under Tycho's table and is believed to be clairvoyant.

That's definitely a film I would see. You can read more here.

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This page contains a single entry by Richard published on November 30, 2010 8:16 PM.

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