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Galileo Galilei

By: Ryann Rodriguez & Madison Mitchell

Galileo Galilei changed the science world. His improvements to science changed what we know today. His learnings and realizations taught the modern science world many things that probably would not have been discovered if it weren’t for him. It forever advanced the way scientists think today.

Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy on February 15, 1564. When Galileo was young he had education at Florence’s Vallombrosa Monastery. Galileo went to the University of Pisa in 1583 to become a medical student. He left the University of Pisa in 1585 and went to the University of Padua to teach math, though, against his father’s wishes. His leadership led to many great discoveries in the science world.

Galileo’s observations added to what we know now in the modern world. Galileo made great observations through his new and improved version of the telescope he created by having a 20x stronger lens, which was his great invention. Through his telescope, Galileo found that Venus has dark and light phases. He also discovered that Jupiter has four moons, the Moon has hills, was the first to observe the rings of Saturn through a telescope, and he pioneered the scientific method of inquiry. Galileo later wrote at least six books, two of them, are called, “ Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems”, which is about how the Sun is the center of the solar system, and another book he wrote ” Discourse on Bodies in Water”, is about how objects float. Galileo’s discoveries and observations led to a great legacy.

Galileo changed the way we think through his discoveries. With his telescope, he was able to prove and show the heliocentric theory (the theory that the sun is the center of the solar system) with his Venus observations. When Galileo shared his observations that proved the heliocentric theory, the church put him on inquisition (a harsh questioning). He was found guilty and put on house arrest for life because that was heresy (against what the church said), which was that the earth was the center of the solar system. (The Geocentric Theory). Galileo’s books were his published copies of his observations. Galileo had many books on his discoveries that changed science. Galileo laid out a great platform for other scientists to come after his time.

Galileo made a positive effect on the science world. At the time, the information he got was negative and against what the church said. Now it helps scientists better understand topics like astronomy, motion, and strength of materials, and has made a great foundation for other scientists.