Tycho Brahe
1572
Tycho Brahe took the first major leap that had occurred in astronomical technology in over 600 years. On Hven island, he created an observatory full of his instruments meant for taking astronomical measurements. His armillary spheres were advanced astrolabes. This wood block print suggests the large size of the instrument. The ring was roughly nine feet in diameter. The astronomer would walk down steps and look up through the armillary to make accurate observations.

One of Tycho Brahe's most significant contributions to astronomy was his observation on November 7, 1572 of a supernova and his conclusion that "the heavens change."

Illustration from:
Astronomiae Instauratae Mechanica by Tycho Brahe; Noribergae (Nüremberg), Apud Levinvm Hvlsivm, 1602.