Galileo was referred to as a lot of things, but what about Lord Of The Rings? Born February 15, 1564, he died at the age of 77. Galileo has been referred to as the “father of modern astronomy,” the “father of modern physics” and the “father of science” due to his revolutionary discoveries. He discovered the law of falling bodies as well as the law of the pendulum. Galileo designed a variety of scientific instruments. He also developed and improved the refracting telescope, though he did not invent it.In 1589, Galileo was appointed professor of mathematics at the University of Pisa . This position required him to teach courses in astronomy on the basis of the Greek astronomer Ptolemy’s theory that the sun and all the planets revolve around the earth. Preparing for these courses deepened Galileo’s understanding of astronomical theory. In 1592, he took up duties as professor of mathematics at the University of Padua, where he spent the next 18 years. During this time, he became convinced of the truth of the theory proposed by the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, that all planets, including the earth, revolve around the sun.

In 1632, Galileo published his first scientific masterpiece, The Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. In this work, he compared the Ptolemaic-Aristotelian theory to the Copernican theory to show that the Copernican System was logically superior. Once again Galileo was summoned to Rome, this time to answer to the charge of willfully disobeying the order not “to hold or defend” Copernicus’ theory. In 1633, The Inquisition found Galileo guilty of the charge, forced him to recant (publicly withdraw his statement), and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Howevah…

In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared that the Roman Catholic Church may have been mistaken in condemning Galileo. He instructed a church commission to study Galileo’s case. In 1983, the commission concluded that Galileo should not have been condemned. In 1984, at the commission’s recommendation, the church published all documents related to Galileo’s trial. In 1992, Pope John Paul II publicly endorsed the commission’s finding that the church had made a mistake in condemning Galileo.

Read more about the founder of modern experimental science at the links below:

@ Rice University

Smith, A. Mark. “Galileo.” World Book Online Reference Center. 2005. World Book, Inc.

Also: NASA