Zacharias Janssen (1580-1638) (flourished c. late 16th century) was a Dutch spectacle-maker, son of Hans Janssen. He is claimed to have been the first to invent a compound microscope, probably with the help of his father in the year 1595, although the origin of the microscope is a matter of debate.
ZachariasJansen and his father Johannes Jansen of Holland in the year 1590, discovered the principle of microscopy and telescopy by placing two lenses together in a tube.
Having heard of Jansen's discovery of the microscope and the telescope, it was he who for the first time in 1609 in Italy, used lenses for magnifying objects.
Armed with a telescope he embarked on the study of astronomy and saw the four moons of Jupiter - the discovery which was in keeping with Copernicus' theory that the sun was the centre of the solar system and not, as was believed then, the earth.
Feeds |
Contact