Maria PopovaKepler was born on this day in 1571. Unbeknownst to most, he wrote the world's first book of science fiction. It landed his mother in a witchcraft trial. He spent six years defending her, all the while revolutionizing our understanding of the universe: https://www.themarginalian.org/2019/12/26/katharina-kepler-witchcraft-dream/
TJ@mariapopova This is a brilliant and beautifully written piece - I was aware of the basics of Kepler's life and contributions to astronomy, but this really brings him to life in full color - thank you!
yunchtime@mariapopova
enjoyed this piece when it appeared in 2019. also enjoyed the novel "Kepler" by John Banville.
enjoyed this piece when it appeared in 2019. also enjoyed the novel "Kepler" by John Banville.
Chris Hoadley@mariapopova Wow! I knew of Kepler because of "Kepler's Law", but I never realized his connection to the other scientists of that time. I had no idea of his relation to Tyco...or Galileo.
I tend to think of these early discoveries in isolation, instead of realizing the back-and-forth of actual people that live in the world.
And, Kepler writing science fiction? Wow!
Well done!
John Shirley@mariapopova I didn't know Kepler wrote a science fiction novel! Arguably the first! I knew about his mom's witchcraft trial. the whole of Europe, in a way, was forever being tried for either witchcraft or heresy, then.
SklingklorpI found the book on YouTube. Thanks.