Quick Facts
And yet it moves. Father of modern science who saw Jupiter's moons and defied the Church.
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Life Journey
Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy, to Vincenzo Galilei, a musician, and Giulia Ammannati. He was the first of six children.
The Galilei family moved from Pisa to Florence, where Galileo's education continued. This relocation was significant as it exposed him to a more vibrant cultural and intellectual environment.
Galileo began his studies at the University of Pisa, initially focusing on medicine but soon shifting his interest to mathematics and philosophy under the influence of his tutors.
Galileo left the University of Pisa without completing his degree due to financial difficulties. Despite this, he continued his independent study of mathematics and science.
Galileo was appointed to the chair of mathematics at the University of Pisa, where he taught geometry, mechanics, and astronomy. This marked the beginning of his academic career.
Galileo accepted a more prestigious position as a professor of mathematics at the University of Padua, where he remained for 18 years. Here, he conducted groundbreaking experiments and developed his theories.
Galileo constructed his own telescope, improving upon the Dutch design, which allowed him to make unprecedented astronomical observations, including the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus.
Galileo published 'Sidereus Nuncius' (Starry Messenger), which detailed his telescopic discoveries, such as the mountains and craters on the Moon, and the moons of Jupiter. This work revolutionized astronomy.
The Roman Catholic Church issued a formal warning to Galileo, prohibiting him from teaching or defending the heliocentric theory, which contradicted the geocentric model endorsed by the Church.
Galileo published 'Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems,' a book that supported the Copernican heliocentric model over the Ptolemaic geocentric one, leading to his trial by the Inquisition.
Galileo was found guilty of heresy by the Inquisition for his support of the heliocentric theory. He was forced to recant and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
Galileo Galilei died on January 8, 1642, in Arcetri, near Florence, Italy. He left behind a legacy of scientific discovery and a profound impact on the development of modern physics and astronomy.