Resources Menu | Categorical Index | Café | Library | Gallery | Lucidcafé Home | Revised: June 4, 2004 Galileo Galilei Astronomer and Physicist 1564 -1642 I do not feel obliged to believe that the same god who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. —Galileo Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Italy. Galileo pioneered "experimental scientific method," and was the first to use a refracting telescope to make important astronomical discoveries. In 1604 Galileo learned of the invention of the telescope in Holland. From the barest description he constructed a vastly superior model. With it he made a series of profound discoveries, including the moons of planet Jupiter and the phases of the planet Venus (similar to those of Earth's moon). As a professor of astronomy at University of Pisa, Galileo was required to teach the accepted theory of his time that the sun and all the planets revolved around the Earth. Later at University of Padua he was exposed to a new theory, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, that the Earth and all the other planets revolved around the sun. Galileo's observations with his new telescope convinced him of the truth of Copernicus's sun-centered or heliocentric theory. Galileo's support for the heliocentric theory got him into trouble with the Roman Catholic Church. In 1633 the Inquisition convicted him of heresy and forced him to recant (publicly withdraw) his support of Copernicus. They sentenced him to life imprisonment, but because of his advanced age allowed him serve his term under house arrest at his villa outside of Florence, Italy. Galileo's originality as a scientist lay in his method of inquiry. First he reduced problems to a simple set of terms on the basis of everyday experience and common-sense logic. Then he analyzed and resolved them according to simple mathematical descriptions. The success with which he applied this technique to the analysis of motion opened the way for modern mathematical and experimental physics. Isaac Newton used one of Galileo's mathematical descriptions, "The Law of Inertia," as the foundation for his "First Law of Motion." Galileo died in 1642, the year of Newton's birth. If you are aware of books, movies, databases, web sites or other information sources about Galileo Galilei or related subjects, or if you would like to comment please send us email. Back to Top Resources Other Astronomers/Physicists/Scientists in the Lucidcafé Library Books By/About Galileo Videos About Galileo Related Websites Other Astronomers/Physicists/Scientists in the Lucidcafé Library Niels Bohr Marie Curie Nicolaus Copernicus René Descartes Albert Einstein Enrico Fermi Maria Mitchell Isaac Newton Back to Resources Menu Books By/About Galileo Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo: Including the Starry Messenger (1610 Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina) - Author: Galileo Galilei and translated by Stillman Drake Galileo's development of a telescope and his unorthodox opinions as a philosopher of science were the central concerns of his career and the subjects of the four writings included in this book. He addressed these writings to contemporary laymen. Stillman Drake's introductory essay places them in their biographical and historical context. CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo" Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican - Author: Galileo Galilei and translated by Stillman Drake Galileo's comparison to the two competing views of the universe during his time. CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love - Author: Dava Sobel This book tells Galileo's story within the context of the 124 surviving letters to the scientist from and his illegitimate daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, whom Galileo describes as "a woman of exquisite mind, singular goodness, and tenderly attached to me." The book includes extensive detail on Galileo's family. I highly recommend this excellent work. CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "Galileo's Daughter" Galileo: Astronomer and Physicist - Author: Paul W. Hightower An account of Galileo's trial, conviction of heresy, and imprisonment for teaching and writing about scientific theories that went against the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Hightower recounts the key aspects of Galileo's life and makes plain how revolutionary his ideas and inventions were. An activities section provides instructions for making a telescope, a thermometer, doing gravity experiments, using a pendulum. CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Galileo: Astronomer and Physicist" Back to Resources Menu Videos About Galileo Galileo: On the Shoulders of Giants (2000) - Producers: HBO The Inventors' Specials This hour-long video for young viewers portrays Galileo forced to take on a young student, the spoiled son of the de Medici family. First bored with his new surroundings, the prince develops a keen interest in Galileo's inventions, including the telescope. Won 2 daytime TV Emmys. CLICK HERE to purchase this Video edition of "Galileo: On the Shoulders of Giants" Genius: Galileo (2001) - Producers: Kultur Video Video documentary of the life and times of the great scientist. CLICK HERE to purchase this Video edition of "Genius: Galileo" Back to Resources Menu Related Websites Galileo@Fact-Index.com The Galileo Room - Institute and Museum of the History of Science of Florence, Italy The Galileo Project - Rice University, USA MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive Biography The Discovery of the Galilean Satellites Back to Resources Menu Back to Top Genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain Click above to order . . . Copyright © 1995-2004 Lucid Interactive Article written by Robin Chew - February 1996