Instruments of the Restored Astronomy

TO THE EMPEROR.

TO THE EMPEROR.

...intended for obtaining greater and smaller distances, provided they do not exceed the sixth part of a circle. There are four of these instruments used for distances, although I have more ready at hand which I could not have depicted and engraved so quickly; among these is one which measures the distances of the stars even when they are far greater than a sixth part of the circle, extending even to a full semicircle. Finally, a certain instrument is included after the previous group which I used for that most wonderful New Star of the year 1572 This refers to the supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia which Tycho observed, proving that the heavens were not unchangeable as Aristotle had claimed, specifically for recording its altitudes when it was in a more inclined position. I have also included that huge Quadrant, which I mentioned before, which we oversaw the construction of many years ago near Augsburg original: "Augustam Vindelicorum" in the garden of the Consul Paul Hainzel A mayor of Augsburg and a patron of astronomy who funded the construction of Tycho's massive 19-foot quadrant, a man most fond of these arts during his lifetime. Since that instrument no longer exists there, having lasted only five years, I did not wish to grant it a place among the other instruments for measuring altitudes, but instead placed it at the end for that reason. After this, I have included a certain Steel Quadrant, which I discussed in the earlier sections, though it is arranged differently there. Once these are finished, a brief description of others among my instruments is added—those which I have ready but have not yet been drawn or displayed—where I also add some indication of those things which I still intend to refine with wonderful brevity. I shall provide a fuller explanation of each of these, both those ready at hand and others to be refined in due time as opportunity allows; for now, striving for brevity, and since the illustrations of them were not ready, I wished to touch upon at least a few points concerning this business. Finally, as a finishing touch, we describe that great Brass Globe original: "Globum Orichalcicum"; Tycho's famous globe, over 1.5 meters in diameter, on which he engraved the positions of 1,000 stars, which encompasses a thousand fixed stars, restored by us with the greatest diligence and precision over many years; this is explained insofar as such a laborious object, serving many uses, can be elucidated in few words. And so we bring the description of the instruments to an end. To all of these, we have annexed a certain record of those things which have been completed by us so far, and those which remain to be finished in the future; with the addition of a few letters from Famous Men, commending the work we are undertaking. Furthermore, in the place of a certain appendix, it seemed good to add representations and explanations of the architectural works, which reveal to the eyes the structures we ordered and completed for these uses in previous years referring to his observatories, Uraniborg and Stjerneborg, on the island of Hven. Although this might seem unnecessary to some at this point—since those who wish to apply serious care to these things and are capable of managing the expenses will easily find for themselves the plans for suitable buildings, especially by taking advantage of the location—nevertheless, so that I might show some idea according to what has been continually refined by us regarding these matters, I judged it not entirely irrelevant to include these astronomical buildings represented together. And these are nearly all the things by which this book is completed, as will be clear to the reader upon looking inside. If any other things are mixed in or added, the prudent reader will easily perceive them for himself without needing me as a guide.

To YOU, however, most August Emperor, RUDOLF THE SECOND, most Merciful Lord, I offer, dedicate, and consecrate this and our other astronomical labors with a humble spirit and an intention studious of the public good. For just as Your Imperial Majesty, in your supreme preeminence, far excels other inferior men, so you are not unaware that it is the duty of your dignity to emulate the Heavens and Celestial things, which immensely surpass earthly and common things: therefore these sublime studies should be held in high value and fostered. That ancient poet Manilius Marcus Manilius, a 1st-century AD Roman poet who wrote "Astronomica" seems to have looked to this, when writing to the second Monarch of the Roman Empire Emperor Augustus about this Celestial art, he decorated it not undeservedly with this praise:

original Latin: "Regales animos primùm dignata movere est / Proxima tangentes Cælo fastigia rerum."

To YOU, therefore, most August Emperor, I trust that these things—which for many years now, almost from my youth, I have performed with untiring labor and incredible expense, so that this divine and most Royal science of Astronomy, which holds the first place above all others, might at last be restored to its integrity and handed down to Posterity more corrected than ever before—will be graciously accepted, and that both myself and these noble studies I treat will be most highly commended to you in the future: so that the honor and Majesty of GOD the Best and Greatest, which shines forth in Celestial things above all other visible things of this most ample theater of the World, might be more rightly known, and might be further magnified and respected among the inhabitants of the Earth; and moreover that the memory and fame of Your Imperial Majesty might be preserved, because you supported these things so excellent and almost chief among worldly