1579 in science

The year 1579 in science and technology included a number of events, some of which are listed here.

Exploration

 * June 17 – Francis Drake, during his circumnavigation of the world, lands in what is now California, which he claims for Queen Elizabeth I of England as Nova Albion.

Physiology and medicine

 * Hieronymus Fabricius discovers the membranous folds that serve as valves in the veins.

Births

 * January 12 (bapt.) – Jan Baptist van Helmont, Flemish chemist (died 1644)
 * July 13 – Arthur Dee, English physician and alchemist (died 1651)

Deaths

 * June 17 – Johannes Stadius, Flemish mathematician and astronomer (born c. 1527)
 * approx. date – Hans Staden, German adventurer (born c. 1525)