1659 in science

Astronomy

• Christiaan Huygens publishes Systema Saturnium, including the first illustration of the Orion Nebula.

  Mathematics

• First known use of the term Abscissa, by Stefano degli Angeli.
• Swiss mathematician Johann Rahn publishes Teutsche Algebra, containing the first printed use of the 'division sign' as a mathematical symbol for division and of the 'therefore sign'.

  Medicine

• Thomas Willis publishes De Febribus.

  Physics

• Christiaan Huygens derives the formula for centripedal force.

  Births

• February 27 – William Sherard, English botanist
• June 3 – David Gregory, Scottish astronomer

  Deaths

• October 10 – Abel Tasman, Dutch explorer