1659 in science

The year 1659 in science and technology involved some significant events.

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' (÷, a repurposed obelus variant) 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 (died 1728)
 * June 3 – David Gregory, Scottish astronomer (died 1708)

Deaths

 * October 10 – Abel Tasman, Dutch explorer (born 1603)