🔭 GALILEO GALILEI
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) was an Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, and mathematician whose discoveries transformed our understanding of the universe. Often called the “Father of Modern Science”, he played a key role in the Scientific Revolution and laid the foundation for modern physics and astronomy.
👶 Early Life and Education
Born: February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy
Died: January 8, 1642, in Arcetri, Italy
Galileo was the eldest of six children. His father, a musician and mathematician, encouraged curiosity and learning, which shaped Galileo’s interests from an early age.
He began studying medicine at the University of Pisa, but soon realised his true passion lay in mathematics and natural philosophy. Leaving without a degree, Galileo later became a professor of mathematics at the Universities of Pisa and Padua.
🔍 Groundbreaking Discoveries
1. The Telescope and Astronomy
In 1609, Galileo improved the design of the telescope and used it for detailed observations of the night sky. His findings challenged centuries-old beliefs:
The Moon has mountains, valleys, and craters — it is not a perfect sphere.
Jupiter has four moons — Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto — proving not everything revolves around Earth.
Venus goes through phases like the Moon, showing it orbits the Sun.
The Milky Way is made up of countless stars.
These discoveries provided strong evidence for the heliocentric theory, which states that the Sun is at the centre of the solar system.
2. Physics and Motion
Galileo made important contributions to the study of motion:
Law of Falling Bodies – In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass.
Inertia – Objects in motion remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.
Projectile Motion – Projectiles travel in a curved, parabolic path.
Through experiments like rolling balls down inclined planes, Galileo used observation and measurement to explain natural laws, paving the way for Newton’s laws of motion.
⚖️ Conflict with the Church
Galileo’s support for the heliocentric model went against the Catholic Church’s geocentric view. In 1633, he was tried by the Inquisition, forced to recant, and placed under house arrest for the rest of his life. Despite this, he continued to write and research in secret.
📘 Legacy
Galileo’s impact on science is immense:
Known as the father of modern observational astronomy.
Advanced the scientific method through experimentation and observation.
Inspired later scientists such as Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.
In 1992, the Catholic Church formally acknowledged its error in condemning him.
🌟 Interesting Facts
The four largest moons of Jupiter are called the Galilean moons in his honour.
A famous (possibly legendary) story claims he dropped spheres from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to prove his theories.
NASA’s Galileo spacecraft was named after him and studied Jupiter from 1989 to 2003.
✨ Final Thought
Galileo Galilei was more than a scientist — he was a seeker of truth who stood by his discoveries even in the face of persecution. His courage, curiosity, and refusal to accept ignorance changed the course of science forever. Today, his name remains a symbol of knowledge, reason, and the spirit of discovery.
