And for some astronomers, it was also the gateway to pursuing certain personal scientific projects that, without royal funding, may never have been realised.<\/p>\n
In the very earliest ruling courts, the science of astronomy was still merged with astrology<\/a>, before the two took their separate paths.<\/p>\n More astronomy history:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Predictions made by these astrologers could weigh somewhat heavily upon them.<\/p>\n After failing to predict a solar eclipse<\/a> in 2300 BC, two Chinese astrologers attached to the emperor\u2019s court soon found they were detached from their heads.<\/p>\n But with the passing of time, attitudes towards the sky changed, as did how it was interpreted.<\/p>\n Great astronomers in their own right such as Tycho Brahe, Galileo Galilei<\/a> and William Herschel<\/a> were all to be summoned by nobility.<\/p>\n During the latter part of the 1500s, King Frederick II of Denmark granted revered Danish astronomer Brahe an estate on the small Swedish island of Hven, and a pot full of cash to build the Uraniborg, an observatory and research establishment where Brahe set about building all manner of astronomical instruments.<\/p>\n But Brahe had a rather despotic relationship with the locals, and fell out of favour with Frederick\u2019s successor to the Danish crown.<\/p>\n Disagreements ensued, and the party was soon over.<\/p>\n However, he bounced straight back by obtaining the position of Imperial Court Astronomer to Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II in Prague.<\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/25\/2022\/07\/tycho-brahe-johannes-kepler-2680727.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C559"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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