Great Astronomers by Sir Robert S. (Robert Stawell) Ball
page 50 of 309 (16%)
page 50 of 309 (16%)
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[PLATE: TYCHO'S ASTRONOMIC SEXTANT.
(Made of steel: the arms, AB, AC, measure 4 ft.) PLATE: TYCHO'S EQUATORIAL ARMILLARY. (The meridian circle, E B C A D, made of solid steel, is nearly 6 ft. in diameter.)] Tycho being of a somewhat turbulent disposition, it appears that, while at the University of Rostock, he had a serious quarrel with another Danish nobleman. We are not told for certain what was the cause of the dispute. It does not, however, seem to have had any more romantic origin than a difference of opinion as to which of them knew the more mathematics. They fought, as perhaps it was becoming for two astronomers to fight, under the canopy of heaven in utter darkness at the dead of night, and the duel was honourably terminated when a slice was taken off Tycho's nose by the insinuating sword of his antagonist. For the repair of this injury the ingenuity of the great instrument-maker was here again useful, and he made a substitute for his nose "with a composition of gold and silver." The imitation was so good that it is declared to have been quite equal to the original. Dr. Lodge, however, pointedly observes that it does not appear whether this remark was made by a friend or an enemy. [PLATE: THE GREAT AUGSBURG QUADRANT. (Built of heart of oak; the radii about 19 ft.) PLATE: TYCHO'S "NEW SCHEME OF THE TERRESTRIAL SYSTEM," 1577.] The next few years Tycho spent in various places ardently pursuing somewhat varied branches of scientific study. At one time we hear of |
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