Johannes Kepler - Biography (cont.)

Kepler also began studying the underlying rhythm of the universe, researching the harmonic properties of planetary motion. He would later publish his findings in 1619, in "De Harmonice Mundi", five books representing the culmination of Kepler's research into the structure of the universe. But before we say more about this important publication, let us return to Graz, if only for a little while, for in 1600, Archbishop Ferdinand had ordered all of the citizens of Graz to appear in front of the city magistrate to be questioned about their faith, with fines imposed on those who were not Catholic. Kepler being a Lutheran, and having no intention on renouncing his faith, was dismissed from the university. Kepler left Graz with his wife and daughter to become Tycho Brähe's assistant, joining the famed astronomer at his observatory near Prague.

Tycho Brähe had been sufficiently impressed by Kepler's "Mysterium Cosmographicum" to recognize his fellow astronomer's talents. Together, they made a formidable team, albeit sometimes hindered by rivalry; Brähe was an arrogant man by nature, and the two would often have arguments, but these were short-lived, due the strong sense of solidarity, and respect they had for each other. Unfortunately, their collaboration was cut shhort by Brähe's untimely death, less than two years after Kepler had joined him at the observatory. One of Brähe's last requests was that Kepler would use the data they had collected, and his own personal, closely guarded notes to develop the "Tychonic" system of the universe, but Kepler did not do so, instead, he adapted the research into the Copernican system he had always been so fond of.

In 1601, Johannes Kepler was named Imperial Mathematician by Rudolph II, replacing Tycho Brähe. In 1609, Kepler Published "Astronomia Nova", which includes Kepler's two first planetary Laws.

Kepler's first Law: The orbit of a planet about the Sun is an ellipse with the Sun's center of mass at one focus.

Kepler's second Law: A line joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time.

This book is considered by many to be Kepler's most important contribution to the field of astronomy.

In 1611, Kepler's life would take many unexpected turns. His wife became ill with Hungarian fever, his three children contracted smallpox. Friedrich succumbed to the disease, while Susanna and Ludwig survived. Due to political unrest, his position as as Imperial Mathematician was uncertain, as he even had difficulty getting paid for his work. When Archduke Matthias took over, Kepler still remained loyal to Rudolph II, while at the same time serving the new regime. When Rudolph the second died in 1612, Kepler decided it was time for him to move on, and he applied to return to Tübingen, thinking he would be the ideal candidate to replace his soon to be retired friend and teacher, Michael Mästlin; but there remained the issue of religion, and since he had refused earlier on to convert to Catholicism, he was rejected.

His next move was to try and replace Galileo in Rome, but even though he had personally recommended Kepler, nothing came of it. It was then that he decided to go to Linz, and offer his services as Provincial Mathematician. He was given the position, and moved with his wife and two remaining children. Barbara died from complications brought on by Hungarian fever during the summer of that same year, leaving Kepler alone with his two remaining children. Working as Provincial mathematician meant Kepler would have to teach in district schools, which kept him from his more important pursuits. Nevertheless, he was treated fairly by Archduke Matthias and appointed court mathematician. While Kepler was doing relatively well in Linz, he still had problems because of his Lutheran faith, and was refused communion from his minister. In 1613, Kepler married Susanna Reuttinger who was then 24, and with whom he had seven children, three of whom died in infancy.

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