Question

Summarize the role of Renaissance science in the history of astronomy

Answer 1

The literary meaning of the term Renaissance is Rebirth. This was the period in which people began renovating their old culture. Astronomy, geography, physics, mathematics, chemistry and anatomy were some of the fields in which major developments took place throughout the Renaissance period. Claudius Ptolemy in the late Middle Ages described that basis of astronomy as the geocentric model. During this time, Regiomontanus published notes in the form of a book known as "Theoricae novae planetarum". This "New Theorica" formed the basis of advanced astronomy during this period. Regiomontanus with the help of Constantinople carried forward the work of his teacher Purbach. He published the Epitome of the Almagest, in the year 1496 which became the basis of the Ptolemaic astronomy.

Nicolaus Copernicus also contributed to astronomy during the Renaissance period.  Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei were the last two scholars of this period who gave an important contribution to this period.