Around Kepler's "Dream"

Abstract

Johann Kepler (1571-1630) is sometimes considered as a precursor of science-fiction novels with the writing of "Somnium, sive opus posthumum of astronomia lunaris". In this work published posthumously in 1634 by his son Ludwig, Kepler intends to defend the Copernican doctrine by detailing the perception of the world for an observer located on the Moon. Although Kepler was not the first to write the fantastic account of a voyage from the Earth to the Moon and "pass around a message", we show here that his "Dream" is made conspicuous under many aspects. Firstly, his author is one of the most remarkable minds of the history of sciences. Secondly, the "Dream" constitutes the missing link between the texts of pure imagination by Lucian of Samosata (IInd c. AD), and the fantasy novels based on scientific discoveries by Jules Verne, at the end of XIXth century. In the third place, the complete text presents an extraordinary structure in encased accounts, built on several series of explanatory notes drafted with the passing of years, as new astronomy progressed. Also it should be retained the dramatic role that its diffusion, although confidential during Kepler's lifetime, had on his own personal and family life, as well as the major influence this book exerted on a whole current of speculative literature devoted to space travel.