1580-1667

Flemish astronomer who staunchly supported Copernicanism. Wendelin appears to have been the first to propose the law of the variation of the obliquity of the ecliptic. He also studied the pendulum, noting the effect of temperature on the period of oscillation as well as showing that increases in amplitude increase the period of oscillation. Known as the Ptolemy of his age, Wendelin was highly respected and his views were solicited by, among others, René Descartes, Christiaan Huygens, and Pierre Gassendi.