Kepler Discovers How Planets Move . ... Kepler was able to use Brahe 's data to show that planets move in ellipses around the Sun ( Kepler's First Law ), that planets move proportionally faster in their orbits when they are nearer the Sun ( Kepler's Second Law ), and that more distant planets take proportionally longer to orbit the Sun ( Kepler's Third Law ). Kepler lived from 1571 to 1630, during the time of discovery of the telescope. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...