The year 1571 in science and technology included a number of events, some of which are listed here.

Mathematics

• François Viète begins publication of Francisci Vietaei Universalium inspectionum ad Canonem mathematicum liber singularis containing many trigonometric tables and formulas on the sine and cosine, and novel in using a decimal notation; publication continued until 1579.

Medicine

• Peder Sørensen publishes Idea medicinæ philosophicæ in Basel, asserting the superiority of the ideas of Paracelsus to those of Galen.

Technology

• 1571 or 1572 – Jacques Besson publishes his popular comprehensive treatise on machines, Theatrum Instrumentorum.
• The first occurrence of the word theodolite is found in the surveying textbook A geometric practice named Pantometria by Leonard Digges, published posthumously by his son, Thomas.^[1]

Births

• December 9 – Metius, Dutch mathematician (died 1635)
• December 27 – Johannes Kepler, German astronomer (died 1630)
• Willem Blaeu, Dutch cartographer (died 1638)
• Frederick de Houtman, Dutch explorer (died 1627)^[2]

Deaths

• Bartolomeo Maranta, Italian physician and botanist (born c. 1500)