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Dainsie · 02-17-2005, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serenasnape

Serena raised her hand

Galileo Galilei

Born: 15 Feb 1564 in Pisa (now in Italy)
Died: 8 Jan 1642 in Arcetri (near Florence) (now in Italy)

Thats right! 3 points.

And a very well done to Evy, 12 points for all that!

Galileo was taught by monks at Vallombrosa and then entered the University of Pisa in 1581 to study medicine. He soon turned to philosophy and mathematics, leaving the university without a degree in 1585. For a time he tutored privately and wrote on hydrostatics and natural motions, but he did not publish. In 1589 he became professor of mathematics at Pisa, where he is reported to have shown his students the error of Aristotle’s belief that speed of fall is proportional to weight, by dropping two objects of different weight simultaneously from the Leaning Tower. His contract was not renewed in 1592, probably because he contradicted Aristotelian professors. The same year, he was appointed to the chair of mathematics at the University of Padua, where he remained until 1610.

Little attention was paid to the Copernican, or heliocentric, system until Galileo discovered evidence to support it. Long a secret admirer of Copernicus’s work, Galileo saw his chance to test the Copernican theory of a moving Earth when the telescope was invented in the Netherlands.

He turned from speculative physics to careful measurements, discovered the law of falling bodies and of the parabolic path of projectiles, studied the motions of pendulums, and investigated mechanics and the strength of materials. He showed little interest in astronomy, although beginning in 1595 he preferred the Copernican theory that the earth revolves around the sun—to the Aristotelian and Ptolemaic assumption that planets circle a fixed earth. Only the Copernican model supported Galileo’s tide theory, which was based on motions of the earth. In 1609 he heard that a spyglass had been invented in Holland. In August of that year he presented a telescope, about as powerful as a modern field glass, to the doge of Venice. Its value for naval and maritime operations resulted in the doubling of his salary and his assurance of lifelong tenure as a professor.

So now with his telescope he turned it skyward, and discovered the phases of Venus, indicating that this planet revolves around the Sun; he also discovered four moons revolving around Jupiter, as well as the rings of Saturn. Convinced that some bodies, at least, do not circle Earth, he began to speak and write in favor of the Copernican system. His attempts to publicize the Copernican system caused him to be tried by the ecclesiastical authorities. Although he was forced to repudiate his beliefs and writings, the powerful theory could not be suppressed.

He discovered mountains and craters on the moon. He also saw that the Milky Way was composed of stars, and he discovered the four largest satellites of Jupiter. He published these findings in March 1610 in The Starry Messenger (trans. 1880).

So as you can see, Galileo was basically forced to deny his findings. Opinions at the time were very much against the copernican theory, although he had found so much evidence to support it.

Does anyone know why his findings were so disputed? It has something to do with Aristotle...

02-17-2005, 04:11 AM	#54 (permalink)
Dainsie Blast-Ended Skrewt Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Exploring Posts: 16,056	T l Guitar ♥ l l Bed Police l S Quote: Originally Posted by serenasnape Serena raised her hand Galileo Galilei Born: 15 Feb 1564 in Pisa (now in Italy) Died: 8 Jan 1642 in Arcetri (near Florence) (now in Italy) Thats right! 3 points. And a very well done to Evy, 12 points for all that! Galileo was taught by monks at Vallombrosa and then entered the University of Pisa in 1581 to study medicine. He soon turned to philosophy and mathematics, leaving the university without a degree in 1585. For a time he tutored privately and wrote on hydrostatics and natural motions, but he did not publish. In 1589 he became professor of mathematics at Pisa, where he is reported to have shown his students the error of Aristotle’s belief that speed of fall is proportional to weight, by dropping two objects of different weight simultaneously from the Leaning Tower. His contract was not renewed in 1592, probably because he contradicted Aristotelian professors. The same year, he was appointed to the chair of mathematics at the University of Padua, where he remained until 1610. Little attention was paid to the Copernican, or heliocentric, system until Galileo discovered evidence to support it. Long a secret admirer of Copernicus’s work, Galileo saw his chance to test the Copernican theory of a moving Earth when the telescope was invented in the Netherlands. He turned from speculative physics to careful measurements, discovered the law of falling bodies and of the parabolic path of projectiles, studied the motions of pendulums, and investigated mechanics and the strength of materials. He showed little interest in astronomy, although beginning in 1595 he preferred the Copernican theory that the earth revolves around the sun—to the Aristotelian and Ptolemaic assumption that planets circle a fixed earth. Only the Copernican model supported Galileo’s tide theory, which was based on motions of the earth. In 1609 he heard that a spyglass had been invented in Holland. In August of that year he presented a telescope, about as powerful as a modern field glass, to the doge of Venice. Its value for naval and maritime operations resulted in the doubling of his salary and his assurance of lifelong tenure as a professor. So now with his telescope he turned it skyward, and discovered the phases of Venus, indicating that this planet revolves around the Sun; he also discovered four moons revolving around Jupiter, as well as the rings of Saturn. Convinced that some bodies, at least, do not circle Earth, he began to speak and write in favor of the Copernican system. His attempts to publicize the Copernican system caused him to be tried by the ecclesiastical authorities. Although he was forced to repudiate his beliefs and writings, the powerful theory could not be suppressed. He discovered mountains and craters on the moon. He also saw that the Milky Way was composed of stars, and he discovered the four largest satellites of Jupiter. He published these findings in March 1610 in The Starry Messenger (trans. 1880). So as you can see, Galileo was basically forced to deny his findings. Opinions at the time were very much against the copernican theory, although he had found so much evidence to support it. Does anyone know why his findings were so disputed? It has something to do with Aristotle...