COPERNICUS (Nicolaus Kopernik, polsh 1473-1543)

With many observations, it has advanced the physical theory of the Sun in the center (Heliocentric model), which was accepted only after tens of years.

TYCHO (Tycho Brahe, danish 1546-1601)

The best observer before the telescope's invention, he measured the positions of stars and planets with great accuracy, allowing Kepler to formulate his three laws

KEPLER (Johannes Kepler, austrian 1571-1630)

Using the observations of his master Tycho has discovered the elliptical shape of the orbits of the planets, describing them with three laws, allowing very accurate predictions of the planets' position.

GALILEO (Galileo Galilei, 1564-1642, italian)

The first person to use a telescope in astronomy, he discovered lunar crates, solar spots and the moons of Jupiter, he promoted the heliocentric model; because of this he was condemned from the Inquisition.

NEWTON (Isaac Newton, 1642-1727, english)

He formulated the laws of dynamic and gravitation, allowing a better knoledge of the motion of celestial bodies. He studied the solar spectrum and built the first reflecting telescope.

PTOLEMY (Claudio Tolomeo, 87-168, greek )

He created a star catalog (based on an early work of Hipparcus); he proposed the planetary model which bring his name, with Sun and planets orbiting the Earth

PLATO (427-347 a.C., greek)

He postulated that the Earth was in the center of the universe, adding that the shape was spherical.

ARISTARCUS (Aristarco di Samo, 310-230 a.C., greek)

It was the first to say that the Earth spins around the Sun. It tried also to measure how far were the Sun and the Moon.

MESSIER (Charles Messier, 1730-1817, french)

A great comet discoverer (13 of them carry his name), to simplify his work he created the first catalog of clusters and nebulae (Messier catalog), still used by the amateur astronomers worldwide.