1612 in science

The year 1612 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Astronomy

• The first description of the Andromeda Galaxy based on observations by telescope is given by Simon Marius.
• December 28 – Galileo observes the planet Neptune for the first time when it is in conjunction with Jupiter, but mistakenly catalogues it as a fixed star because of its extremely slow motion along the ecliptic, and it will not be properly identified until 1846.

Medicine

• Santorio Sanctorius puts the thermometer to medical use.

Births

• approx. date – William Gascoigne, English inventor (died 1644)

Deaths

• February – John Gerard, English herbalist (born c. 1545)
• February 12
  • Christopher Clavius, German mathematician and astronomer (born 1537)
  • Jodocus Hondius, Flemish cartographer (born 1563)
• November 20 – Sir John Harington, English inventor (born 1561)
• Jacques de Cahaignes, French physician (born 1548)