October 8, 1604

In 1604, the supernova now called  "Kepler''s Nova" was first sighted in the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer.  Johannes Kepler observed it from the time of its appearance as an apparently new star.  It was subsequently named after him because of his book on the subject entitled De Stella nova in pede Serpentarii ("On the new star in Ophiuchus's foot", Prague 1606).

Books in our collection

Johannes Kepler by Max Caspar

 New Astronomy by Johannes Kepler; William H. Donahue

 Johannes Kepler and the New Astronomy  by James R. Voelkel