Michael Maestlin

German astronomer

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June 30, 2026

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Michael Maestlin (1550–1631) was a prominent German astronomer and mathematician. He was a professor of mathematics at the University of Tübingen and a mentor to Johannes Kepler. Maestlin was one of the few astronomers of his time who privately supported the Copernican theory, which proposed that the Earth revolves around the Sun. He shared his annotated copy of Copernicus's work with Kepler, significantly influencing Kepler's astronomical studies. Maestlin also published support for Tycho Brahe's astronomical system.12

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Johannes Kepler
Kepler’s social world
…the professor of mathematics was Michael Maestlin (1550–1631), one of the most talented astronomers in Germany. Maestlin had once been a Lutheran pastor; he was also, privately, one of the few adherents of the Copernican theory in the late 16th century, although very cautious about expressing his views in print.…
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…the professor of mathematics was Michael Maestlin (1550–1631), one of the most talented astronomers in Germany. Maestlin had once been a Lutheran pastor; he was also, privately, one of the few adherents of the Copernican theory in the late 16th century, although very cautious about expressing his views in print.…
Read More