Johannes Kepler is famous primarily for his formulation of the three laws of planetary motion, which fundamentally changed our understanding of how planets move around the Sun[2][3][4]. These laws established that planets orbit the Sun in elliptical rather than circular paths, with the Sun at one focus of each ellipse[2][4][6]. This work provided crucial mathematical proof for the heliocentric model, overthrowing the geocentric view that had dominated Western science for centuries[3].
Kepler also made significant contributions to optics, being the first to explain how the telescope works and to provide a correct account of vision[1][6]. He invented the first powerful telescope, enabling detailed celestial observations[1]. Additionally, he connected the motion of tides to the influence of the Moon, and he introduced the concept of celestial mechanics, viewing the universe as governed by natural laws[5].
Beyond his discoveries, Kepler’s impact lies in how he combined mathematics, physics, and astronomy into a single discipline, influencing later scientists like Isaac Newton. His insistence that scientific theories should fit observational facts set a new standard for scientific methodology, profoundly shaping the Scientific Revolution[3].