Galileo was forced to attend an Inquisition in Rome, which lasted from September 1632 to July 1633.Īt first, he denied that he had supported the Copernican theory. However, most people felt that his true beliefs were clear. In 1632, Galileo published a paper called the Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, which attempted to present a balanced view of both theories. He advised that Galileo remain objective and not openly praise or advocate the Copernican theory. Galileo’s friend encouraged him to publish his work. He obeyed this order until his friend was elected Pope Urban VIII in 1623. In 1616, Galileo was ordered not to teach or defend the Copernican theory. This means it went against the teachings of the Church. The Church declared that this theory was heretical. In 1613, a letter that Galileo wrote to a student about the Copernican theory was made public. Galileo’s heliocentric views soon got him in trouble. In addition, he developed the universal law of acceleration. Galileo is also known for developing a hydrostatic balance for measuring small objects. Both observations supported the idea that planets rotate around the sun. He observed that Venus had phases like the moon and that Jupiter’s moons did not revolve around the planet Earth. Galileo began to support this heliocentric view. This geocentric view originated from Aristotle.Ĭopernicus, another mathematician and astronomer, theorized that the sun was the center of the universe. He published Siderius Nuncius (The Starry Messenger), which made him an Italian celebrity.Īt this time, it was believed by most educated people and by the Catholic Church that the earth was the center of the universe. He discovered four new “stars” around Jupiter, which were actually Jupiter’s four largest moons. In 1609, Galileo built an improved telescope. He wrote Du Motion (On Motion), which went against some of the accepted Aristotelian views on motion and falling bodies. While working as a professor, he performed experiments with falling objects. This brought him some recognition and fame. He published The Little Balance, which explained the hydrostatic principles of weighing small quantities. At Padua, Galileo’s fame grew as he gave entertaining lectures.įor two decades, Galileo studied objects in motion. After publishing some of his scientific work, he became a professor at the University of Pisa in 1589.Īs Galileo’s work became more controversial, the university did not renew his contract in 1592.įortunately, he was quickly given another position at the University of Padua, where he taught for 18 years.Īlthough many people opposed Galileo’s criticisms of Aristotle, he also gained followers and supporters. Galileo made his first important discovery in 1583, uncovering the rules behind the motion of pendulums.īecause of financial struggles, Galileo left the University of Pisa in 1585 before completing his degree.Īfter leaving the university, Galileo supported himself with several teaching positions. However, he quickly became fascinated with mathematics and physics instead. In 1581, Galileo entered the University of Pisa, where he planned to study medicine. There, Galileo began his formal education at the Camaldolese monastery in Vallombrosa. In 1574, Galileo and his family moved to Florence. Galileo was the oldest of six children (although some experts say seven). His parents were Vicenzo Galilei, a musician, and Giulia degli Ammannati. Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy, on February 15, 1564. Although Galileo is a respected legend today, some of his theories were controversial during his lifetime. This Italian scientist is perhaps best known for his invention of an improved telescope. Let’s explore some facts about him and be sure to stay for our quick quiz at the end to test your knowledge! He made important discoveries in physics, astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy. Doing so would have been insanely risky.Galileo Galilei, more commonly known as Galileo, is considered the father of modern science. We can also be certain that he did not (as legend has it) mutter that phrase in front of the inquisitors. His bitterness about the trial the fact that he had been forced to abjure and recant his life’s work the humiliating reality that his book Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems had been put on the Church’s Index of Prohibited Books and his deep contempt for the inquisitors who judged him continually occupied his mind for all the years following the trial. It was only after the trial, angered by his conviction no doubt, that he was said to have muttered to the inquisitors, “ Eppur si muove”(“And yet it moves)” , as if to say that they may have won this battle, but in the end, truth would win out. But did Galileo really utter those famous words? There is no doubt that he thought along those lines. During his trial for suspicion of heresy, Galileo chose his words carefully.
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