Thomas Street (astronomer) facts for kids

Thomas Street (also spelled Streete) was an English astronomer who lived from 1621 to 1689. He was famous for his writings about how planets and stars move. Sometimes, people confused him with another person named Thomas Street who was a judge. A Moon crater, named Street, is named after him.

Early Life and Passing

Thomas Street was born in a place called Castle Lyons in Ireland. His birthday was on March 5, 1621. He passed away in Westminster, London, on August 17, 1689. He was buried in the churchyard of the New Chapel there. This information comes from a book called Brief Lives, written by his friend John Aubrey.

Amazing Astronomy Work

Observing the Skies

On May 3, 1661, Thomas Street watched a special event called a transit of Mercury. This is when the planet Mercury passes directly in front of the Sun. He observed it from Long Acre in London. Two other famous scientists, Nicholas Mercator and Christiaan Huygens, were with him. After this, Street disagreed with another astronomer, Johannes Hevelius, about his observations of the same event.

His Famous Book: Astronomia Carolina

In the same year, 1661, Street published his most important book. It was called Astronomia Carolina, a new theorie of Coelestial Motions. This book was about how celestial bodies (like planets) move. He later added an Appendix to Astronomia Carolina in 1664, which included useful tables.

Astronomia Carolina was read by many people. It was even used by students who later became very famous. These included Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists ever, and John Flamsteed, who became the first Astronomer Royal. Flamsteed learned how to figure out eclipses and where planets would be by using Street's book.

Accurate Tables and Lasting Impact

Street's tables in Astronomia Carolina were known for being very accurate. Flamsteed once called them "the exactest tables in being." This means they were the most precise tables available at the time. The book was so popular that new editions were printed in 1710 and 1716.

In 1674, Street also published Description and Use of the Planetary Systeme together with Easie Tables. In the same year, he created Tables of Projection for artillery (big guns). These tables went along with a book on gunnery by Robert Anderson.

Earth's Rotation Idea

Thomas Street was a follower of Johannes Kepler, another famous astronomer. Like Kepler, Street believed that the Earth's daily rotation (how fast it spins) was not always the same. He thought that the Earth spun faster when it got closer to the Sun.

Other Cool Inventions

Thomas Street also invented a better version of a tool called a back-staff. This instrument was used by sailors and astronomers to measure the height of the Sun or stars. He improved an earlier design by Robert Hooke by adding two flat surfaces and a small mirror to the device.

His Personality and Friends

Street was known for being quite direct and strong-willed in his discussions. One story tells how he once debated with Prince Rupert. The Prince said something that Street thought was wrong about math. Street boldly said, "whoever affirms that is no mathematician." People at court later pointed at him and joked, "There's the man that huffed Prince Rupert!"

He also had strong disagreements with other astronomers. For example, he had a big debate with Vincent Wing. Wing had criticized Street's Astronomia Carolina.

Despite his strong opinions, Street had good friends too. Edmond Halley (who discovered Halley's Comet) was a younger friend of Street. Halley even wrote an appendix for the 1710 edition of Street's Astronomia Carolina. They even observed a lunar eclipse together.