Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695) was a Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer. A leading figure of the Scientific Revolution, Huygens combined research into mathematical-based theories, such as the movement of light waves, with practical projects, like building superior telescopes and watches using balance springs. Huygens is credited with building the first working pendulum clock and first identifying the rings of Saturn.
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Definition
Timeline
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1629 - 1695Life of the Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer Christiaan Huygens.
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14 Apr 1629Christiaan Huygens is born in The Hague, the Netherlands.
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1645Christiaan Huygens joins the University of Leiden to study law and mathematics.
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1657Christiaan Huygens makes the first working example of a pendulum clock.
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1657Christiaan Huygens publishes his Horologium.
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1658Christiaan Huygens presents his disocvery of Saturn's rings and the moon of Titan.
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1663Christiaan Huygens is made a fellow of the Royal Society in London.
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1666Christiaan Huygens is made a fellow of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris.
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1673Christiaan Huygens publishes his Horologium Oscillatorium.
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23 Jan 1675Christiaan Huygens creates the first working example of a chronometer using balance spring.
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4 Oct 1675Dutch astronomer, inventor, and mathematician Christiaan Huygens patents his improved balance spring pocket watch, creating a more accurate, portable time piece than those available at the time.
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1684Christiaan Huygens publishes his Astroscopia Compendiaria.
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1686Chrsitiaan Huygens builds an aerial telescope.
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1690Christiaan Huygens publishes his wave theory of light.
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1690Christiaan Huygens publishes his Treatise on Light.
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1690Christiaan Huygens publishes his Discourse on the Course of Gravity.
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8 Jul 1695Christiaan Huygens dies in The Hague.
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1698Christiaan Huygens publishes his Kosmotheoros or The Celestial Worlds Discovered.
