1630 in science

Astronomy

• Following his recently completed Rudolphine Tables, Kepler predicts a transit of Mercury on 7 November 1631 and a transit of Venus on 6 December 1631. He writes an "admonition" to astronomers to prepare for observations on these dates, which is published after his death by Jacob Bartsch.

Mathematics

• Pierre de Fermat studies the curve later known as the "Witch of Agnesi".

Microscopy

• Francesco Stelluti's Persio tradotto in verso schiolto e dichiarato, published in Rome, is the first book to contain images of organisms viewed through the microscope.

Technology

• Cornelius Drebbel produces an early form of magic lantern or slide projector.

Events

• The first laws prohibiting gambling in America are passed.

Births

• July 19 – François Cureau de La Chambre, French physician (died 1680)
• September 13 – Olof Rudbeck, Swedish physiologist (died 1702)
• October – Isaac Barrow, English mathematician (died 1677)
• possible date – Johann Kunckel, German chemist (died 1703)

Deaths

• November 15 – Johannes Kepler, astronomer (born 1571)
• Federico Cesi, founder of Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, in Rome, Italy (born 1586)
• Johannes Schreck (also known as Johannes Terrenz or Terrentius), explorer (born 1576)

References

References

1. van Helden, Albert. (1976). "The Importance of the Transit of Mercury of 1631". Journal for the History of Astronomy.
2. Norman, Jeremy. "The First Book to Contain Images of Organisms Viewed through the Microscope (1630)". History of Knowledge.
3. Richardson, Matthew. (2001). "The Penguin Book of Firsts". Penguin Books India.
4. (1894). "L'Anthropologie". Masson..