What did Galileo Galilei discover in 1610?
a) Two satellites of Uranus
b) Four satellites of Jupiter
c) Pluto
d) Neptune
Answers
The father of Modern Physics, Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564. Some of Galileo's contributions to science and technology include the study of the phases of Venus, the discovery of four satellites of Jupiter, study of sunspots and many more.
Galileo was a renowned scientist who pioneered the advancement of science during the Renaissance. The Italian astronomer faced severe criticism from the Catholic Church and the Roman Inquisition for his theory on comets and about the Earth revolving around the Sun.
Galileo was sentenced to house arrest at his villa in Arcetri near Florence, Italy in 1634. He stayed there for the rest of his life. On January 8, 1642, the astronomer passed away.
TODAY ON HIS 376TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY, WE BRING TO YOU 10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GALILEO GALILEI:
1. In 1581, at the age of 17, Galileo entered the University of Pisa to study medicine. However, he soon became fond of Mathematics.
2. He did not invent the pendulum. However, in 1583, Galileo discovered the principle that controls the motion of pendulums.
3. He was appointed as the Chair (head scholar) of Mathematics at the University of Pisa where he discovered the laws of falling objects.
4. Contrary to popular belief, Galileo did not invent the telescope. He was inspired by the design of Dutch spectacles, which had already used lenses to see objects nearer. However, Galielo was indeed the first person to observe the sky with a telescope and come up with astronomical discoveries. He is, hence, called the father of observational astronomy.