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Original Article

Detection of Mercury in the 411-year-old Beard Hairs of the Astronomer Tycho Brahe by Elemental Analysis in Electron Microscopy

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Pages 312-319 | Received 19 Mar 2012, Accepted 02 Apr 2012, Published online: 01 Oct 2012

REFERENCES

  • A Norwegian bishop had heard about poisoning and mentioned this rumor in a letter sent to Copenhagen in 1602. Cf. Bang O. Samling af adskillige opbyggelige og nyttige Materie, saa vel gamle som nye, Vol. 2. Copenhagen; 1745: 529. Translated into German by Philander von der Weistritz [pseudonym for Christian Gottlob Mengel]: Lebensbeschreibung des berühmten und gelehrten Dänischen Sternsehers Tycho v. Brahes, 1–2 Theil. Kopenhagen/Leipzig: Friedrich Christian Pelt; 1756: 195.
  • In his description of the death (Book V) based partly on a letter written about 1620 by a Dane, the French scientist Pierre Gassendi reported a rumor spread in Denmark, Norway, and Germany saying that the astronomer had been poisoned by jealous enemies from the court. Gassendi P, Tychonis Brahei astronomorum coryphæi vita […]. Paris: Dupuis; 1654: 179.
  • Already the funeral speech alludes to false inventions concerning the death. Cf. Jessenius J. De vita et morte illustris et generosi viri, domini Tychonis Brahei equitis Dani. Pragæ: Nigrinus; 1601. In: Tychonis Brahe Opera Omnia ed. by J.L.E. Dreyer. 1919;14:234–240. This Danish report has been described in English. Cf. Jacobsen AR & Petersen L. How Tycho Brahe Really Died. In: Planetarian 30,4, 2001: 9–10. www.ips-planetarium.org/?a_jacobsen2001
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