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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
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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"
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Copyright © 1995-2004 Lucid Interactive
Article written by Robin
Chew - February 1996
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