In early October 1604 observers across Europe noticed a brilliant new star in Ophiuchus, close to Jupiter and Mars. Johannes Kepler followed it from 17 October until it faded from view in 1606, and described it in his book De Stella Nova. Galileo also used it in lectures to argue that the heavens could change. It remains the last supernova seen in our own Milky Way with the naked eye, and its remnant is still studied in X-rays and radio waves. The event ended the belief of many scholars that the heavens never change.
Before and after
- 1603Birth of Abel Tasman
- from 24 March 1603 to 9 November 1867Tokugawa shogunate
- 24 March 1603Death of Elizabeth I of England
- 1604Siege of Ostend
- October 1604Kepler's Supernova appears in the constellation Ophiuchus
- 8 October 1604SN 1604
- from 1605 to 1618Polish–Muscovite War
- 1605Construction of Kensington Palace
- 1605Publication of Don Quixote
More in Universe & space
- 11 November 1572Tycho's Supernova
- 25 October 1671Discovery of Iapetus
- 23 December 1672Discovery of Rhea
- 21 March 1684Discovery of Dione
- 21 March 1684Discovery of Tethys
- 25 December 1758Halley's Comet returns as predicted
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.