Jan Muscenius

Jan Muscenius, (Jan Muszczeński alias Jan Mucha, 1532 – 21 July 1602) was a Polish astronomer, theologian, and the rector of Kraków Academy (now Jagiellonian University).

Life Jan Muscenius was born in Kurzelów, Sandomierz Province, and lived in Kraków.

Muscenius divided his book collection between Kraków Academy and the collegiate church at Kurzelów. The University of Warsaw Library has 59 beautifully bounded volumes from the Muscenius collection.

Research On 24 August 1563 and 11 April 1564 together with other astronomers (Piotr Proboszczowic, Mikołaj z Szadka, Stanisław Jakobejusz) from the Krakow Academy observed the Jupiter and Saturn conjunctions (Greate conjunction). The observations showed that the mathematical method of the planets position calculation presented by Copernicus in De revolutionibus orbium coelestium are more accurate than previously used the Alfonsine tables and Albert Brudzewski tables. This result popularised to use the numerical values of the planets position according Copernicus, but not necessary to Copernican heliocentrism.

Publications

, published in Kraków, (1601) Praktyka z Biegow Niebieskich na Rok Panski 1566 Kalendarz Świąt dorocznych y Biegów Niebieskich z wyborami czasów na Rok Pański 1569, pierwszy po Przestępnym przez M. Jana Musceniusa z Kurzelowa, sławnej Nauki Krakowskiey Astrologa, napisany.