Os fundamentos da óptica geométrica de Johannes Kepler

Abstract

This paper presents Kepler's theory of the process of vision, exposed in fifth book of Paralipomena, published in 1604. We pointed the following aspects: (1) the catalogue of the human eye made by Kepler, that was founded in Felix Plater's anatomical works; (2) the analogy between the obscure chamber and the human eye, with the understanding that the former is a dioptrical instrument like the last one; (3) the correct use, following Kepler, of geometry to the anatomical-physiological constitution exposed in the Paralipomena. From these elements, Kepler treats two basic points for the optic in the xvii th century: the first affirms that the image of the object seen by the eye is formed in the retina and not in the crystalline; the second restricts the realm of optical studies only to that treated through optical components, that is to say, to anatomical and physiological constituents, and their possibilities of geometrization.