Galileo Galilei
| Famous as | Astronomer, Mathematician, Philosopher, Rebel Scientist, Physicist |
| Born on | 15 February 1564 |
| Born in | Pisa |
| Died on | 08 January 1642 |
| Nationality | Italy |
| Works & Achievements | Founded Galilean Telescope, Stated the Heliocentric Cosmology, Discovered Jupiter's 4 moons |
Galileo Galilei Childhood and Early Life
Galileo Galilei was born on 15 February 1564, in Pisa (formerly a
part of Duchy of Florence) in Italy. Galilei was the eldest in a family
of 6 children. Galilei was born to Vincenzo Galilei (a famous musician, composer
and musical theorist) and Giulia Ammannati. Galileo’s full name was
Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de' Galilei. When he turned 8 his family
moved to Florence. He stayed with Jacopo Borghini for two years and
studied in Camaldolese Monastery at Vallombrosa which was situated 35
kms away from Florence. Since childhood Galielo was very much interested
to become a priest. In spite of this he enrolled himself in the
University of Pisa for acquiring a medical degree. Galileo’s father
wanted his son to pursue science. Galileo left studying his medical
degree and never completed it. Instead, he took up mathematics.
Galielo had immense interest in fine art too. In 1588 He was chosen
as the art instructor at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno situated
in Florence. Galileo indulged himself in teaching various perspectives
of art and a very different art form, chiaroscuro (a monochromatic
picture made out of using different colour shades giving out a bold
contrast in the whole composition). During his role as a teacher at
Accademia, Galileo befriended Florentine painter Cigoli. This friendship
continued for life. Cigoli had once used one of Galileo’s observations
on moon in his painting. Galileo was driven by Renaissance art. He also got attached to the city art. All these influences led to an aesthetic mentality in Galileo.
In 1589 Galileo got appointed for a position in mathematics in Pisa. In 1591 Galileo’s father passed away.
In 1592 Galileo shifted his base to the University of Padua where
he taught geometry, mechanics, and astronomy for many years till 1610.
From 1592 to 1610 Galileo carried out his notable discoveries on
astronomy, kinetics in science, improvement of telescope and on motion
and strength of materials. Galileo researched on fundamental, pure as
well as practical applied science.
Theories and Controversies
Galileo was a great follower and an advocate of the theories of
Nicolaus Copernicus. It was Copernicus’ heliocentric cosmology (sun in
the centre of the universe around which planets and stars revolved)
which Galileo affirmed and reaffirmed all his life. In 1615, the
Copernican theory was negated by Cardinal Bellarmine as he said that the
Copernican heliocentric cosmology could not be affirmed. Bellarmine had
brought out a writing saying that only "a true physical demonstration
that the sun does not circle the earth but the earth circles the sun"
could save the affirmed Copernican theory. Galileo thought of referring
to his ‘theory of tides’ to affirm the Copernican theory. The inclusion
of this theory was rejected by an inquisition.
In 1616 Galileo addressed and gave away his first account on tides.
Galileo stated that tides were formed by the back and forth movement of
the seas. This movement resulted in the speedy and slow movement of the
Earth’s surface. His explanation of tides was a failure.
In 1619 Galileo got involved in a controversy over a dispute with
Father Orazio Grassi (mathematics professor at the Jesuit college of
Romano) on the nature of comets.
In 1623 Galileo published The Assayer (Il Saggiatore). This book
rejected Grassi’s ideas. Galileo was wrong in his idea of comets and
their light reflection. By the time Assayer was published, the basic
argument spread far and wide. However, the greatest quality and
contribution of Galileo’s Assayer is its rich scientific ideas and how
science should be practically used and practiced. Assayer is regarded as
a scientific manifesto even today.
Galileo had always believed in the heliocentric cosmology where sun
was in the middle and that earth was immovable. According to Galileo he
was adhering to the Bible and the religious scriptures which also affirmed to this theory.
It was 1616 when public attacks on the Copernican theories and
ideas had risen very high and this very year Galileo went to Rome to
persuade the Roman Catholic Church not to ban Copernicus’ ideas.
However, Galileo’s quest went astray when an Inquisition ordered
Cardinal Bellarmine to threaten Galileo with the order that Galileo
should not by any means try to "hold or defend" the idea of the Earth moving
and the sun being static at the centre. Galileo continued disobeying
the church. He, however, did not meddle in too much controversy but did
spread heliocentric cosmology.
With the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini as Pope Urban VIII
in 1623, Galileo was encouraged to write a book on his heliocentric
ideas.
In 1616 Barberini being a close friend and an admirer of Galileo stopped a condemnation of Galileo.
In 1632 Galileo published ‘Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World
Systems’. This was possible because Galileo had all the support and
pope’s permission (possible because of his friend’s presence in the
church). A formal authorization from the Inquisition made the publishing
of this amazing yet revolutionary book possible.
In 1633 Galileo had lost out on support due to the book. He stood
on trial in the same year. 1633 found Galileo a suspect of heresy. A
formal imprisonment of Galileo followed. He remained on house arrest for
the rest of his life and his Book, Dialogue was banned.
In 1634 Galileo was allowed to return to his home in Florence.
During his house arrest Galileo spent all his time in bringing out the
fabulous book of science – ‘Two New Sciences’. Published in 1638, this
was the greatest book of science. All his researches and findings
carried out throughout his life found place in this book.
Albert Scientist heaved great praise for this book. The two
integral sections of science – kinetics and strength of materials have
been discussed by Galileo in this book.
In the 1638 Galileo became completely blind.
Scientific and Technological Contributions
Galileo was a great scientist and was surely a genius. He was the
first person on earth to have ever told that the laws of nature were
purely based on mathematics.
Galileo’s father, being a music composer, instilled love for music in the scientist and Galileo found that mathematics formed a great bond between music and physics.
In 1609 Galileo discovered a telescope with 3x magnification.
Galileo’s find was based on the invention of first practical telescope
by Hans Lippershey (done in 1608). Galileo’s telescope was more commonly
known as a spyglass or a terrestrial telescope because of its
magnified, perfect imaging abilities on earth.
On 25 August 1609 Galileo presented the demonstration of his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.
In March 1610 Galileo published his recorded researches and
observations on his initial telescopic astronomy. This published
astronomical work was known as ‘Sidereus Nuncius’ (Starry Messenger).
7th January 1610 was a milestone in Galileo’s astronomical career.
He found and described "three fixed stars, totally invisible by their
smallness" near to planet Jupiter and arranged in a straight line.
On 10 January, 1610, Galileo discovered 3 moons of Jupiter. On 13
January 1610 Galileo discovered the fourth moon orbiting around Jupiter.
Galileo started his quest on planet Venus from September 1610. He
recorded his observations on the phases of Venus that was similar to
that of moon.
In the middle of 1611 Galileo recorded his observations of
satellites. After researching for more than a year, Galileo gave his
accurate estimates on the phases and periods of the satellites. This was
brought out for the very first time by any scientist. Only Kepler had
tried to achieve this feat but had failed. Galileo made this possible.
In the period between1595–1598, Galileo presented his Geometric and
Military Compass. This device was developed for use in surveyors and by
artillery servicemen.
In 1609 Galileo, along with several other scientists, used a
refracting telescope to observe stars, planets or moons. In 1624 Galileo
found a compound microscope.
Final Years and Death
In 1638 Galileo turned completely blind. Due to his heavy work on
his last and finest work, ‘Two New Sciences’ Galileo bore lot of pain.
He was in complete house arrest since 1634 till he died. He suffered
from a very painful hernia and insomnia. He was shifted to Florence for
medical consultation.
Even in 1642 Galileo had guests and visitors. He suffered from
fever and heart palpitations, which resulted in Galileo’s death on
January 8, 1642. He was 77 years old at the time of his death.
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Timeline: | ||||
1564 – Galileo was born on 15 February.
1588 – He became the art instructor at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence.
1589 – Became the chair member of mathematics in Pisa.
1591 – Galileo’s father died.
1592 – He went to Padua to where he taught geometry, mechanics, and astronomy for many years till 1610.
1592-1610 - Galileo carried out his notable
discoveries on astronomy, kinetics in science, improvement of telescope
and on motion and strength of materials.
1595–1598 – Galileo presented his Geometric and Military Compass.
1609 - Galileo discovered a telescope with 3x magnification.
1609 - Galileo along with several other scientists used a refracting telescope to observe stars, planets or moons.
1609 - On 25 August Galileo presented the demonstrations of his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.
1610 – 7 January Galileo saw 3 stars fixed and very small around Jupiter.
1610 - On 10 January Galileo discovered 3 moons of Jupiter.
1610 - On 13 January Galileo discovered the fourth moon orbiting around Jupiter.
1610 - In March Galileo published his recorded researches and observations on his initial telescopic astronomy.
1610 - From September Galileo started his quest on
planet Venus. He recorded his observation on the phases of Venus that
was similar to that of moon.
1611 - In the middle of this year Galileo gave his accurate estimates on the phases and periods of the satellites.
1615 – Galileo affirmed his theory of tides as a
proof to affirm the Copernican theory heliocentric cosmology. But
Galileo failed in his quest.
1616 - Galileo addressed and gave away his first account on tides.
1616 – Galileo went to Rome to persuade the Roman Catholic Church not to ban or Copernicus’ ideas.
1623 - Galileo published The Assayer (Il Saggiatore).
1624 - Galileo found the compound microscope.
1632 - Galileo published ‘Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems’.
1633 – Galileo went under trial. He was found Galileo a suspect of heresy.
1634 - Galileo was allowed to return to his home in Florence.
1634 – Galileo was in complete house arrest till his last days of life.
1638 - Galileo went completely blind.
1642 - On January 8 Galileo breathed his last.
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