1542 in science
The year 1542 in science and technology included a number of events, some of which are listed here.
Botany
- Leonhart Fuchs publishes his new herbal De historia stirpium commentarii insignes in Basel.
Exploration
- Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo explores the coast of California.
Physiology and medicine
- Jean Fernel publishes De naturali parte medicinae, presenting human physiology as integral to the study of medicine.