GALILEO GALILEI
1564-1642

Galileo was the greatest scientist who ever lived.

INTRODUCTION

For the last four hundred years, Galileo has fascinated and inspired writers, theologians, playwrights, historians and scientists.


BACKGROUND

Galileo was born February 15, 1564, in Pisa. He started school in the 1570's. Then after, he attended the University of Pisa. He asked his father if he could leave the university. He took courses in astronomy on the basis of the Greek astronomer Ptolmey's theory. In 1610 he went to Florence to continue his studies of the heavens where he found the truth of Copernicus's theory.

In 1632 he published an important book of the dialogues concerning the two chief world systems of Ptolemy and Copernicus. In 1633 the church told him that he was wrong. He refused to say he was wrong and was sentenced to be imprisoned but the sentence changed to house arrest. He spent the remaining years in a country house under arrest where he was watched closely but was allowed to continue his scientific work.

In 1630 he became blind after completing his second major book of dialogues concerning the two new sciences. The book was smuggled to Holland where it was published in 1639.

Galileo was 78 years old when he died in 1642.


IMPACT

Galileo was one of the chief founders of modern science. His greatest impact was his telescope and the laws of motion. It changed the way people viewed the universe.


This is the telescope that Galileo created in 1601.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Dick, Steven J. "Galileo Galilei." Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995.

2. "Galileo Galilei." Students Encyclopaedia, 1997, vol. 8, pp. 441-444.

3. "Galileo Galilei." The World Book Encyclopaedia, 1994, vol. 8, pp. 11-12.


This page was prepared by Rodney and Aaron, Grade 8, Riverdale Junior Secondary School.