Interesting Facts about Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei is one of the most prominent researchers and thinkers of his time. He laid the foundations for sciences such as mechanics, physics, and astronomy, while also endorsing the ideas of another great scientist, Nicolaus Copernicus. Galileo made a series of discoveries that led to persecution by the church because he was suspected of heresy.
Interesting Facts about Galileo Galilei:
1. Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564, in the city of Pisa, Italy. He was of noble descent, but his family had fallen into poverty long before his birth, so his noble origin was only indicated by his surname, and his parents led a peasant life. Money was tight, and in his youth, the future scientist even had to interrupt his studies at the University of Pisa because his family couldn't afford to continue paying.
2. In a short biography of Galileo, it's evident that he was incredibly gifted in various fields of science—astronomy, physics, mathematics, and he created numerous profound philosophical treatises. He not only had a passion for poetry but also composed verses himself.
3. In his youth, Galileo intended to become a priest. However, his father opposed this desire. He noticed his son's incredible talent and intellect, so he insisted that Galileo attend university and pursue a career in science.
4. At the age of 17, Galileo enrolled in university to study medicine. He also enjoyed mathematical classes: attending them, he became fascinated with geometry and algebra, and he was introduced to the scientific works of Copernicus, which would later influence his life.
5. Throughout his life, Galileo invented many things. He was the first to systematize observations of the heavens and invented the telescope, as well as hydrostatic balances. He also devised methods for using pendulums. His discoveries of the laws of inertia and free fall completely revolutionized contemporary understanding of mechanics.
6. With the help of the telescope, Galileo observed the Moon, where he discovered a large number of craters and mountains, confirming his belief that the Earth is not fundamentally different from other planets in physical terms.
7. He then discovered Jupiter's four moons, the rings of Saturn, and observed the stars of the Milky Way. With his invention, in 1613, he even saw spots on the Sun.
8. He contemplated philosophy and mathematics extensively. His reflections led him to theories close to probability theory. Additionally, the researcher authored many scientific treatises on numbers. Unfortunately, his contemporaries couldn't fully appreciate the scientist's aspirations and discoveries. It would only be later that people could reconsider these conclusions.
9. As a university lecturer, Galileo gave numerous lectures on astronomy, which quickly brought him immense popularity. This despite openly criticizing the then-accepted systems of the world, including the idea that the Sun revolves around the Earth.
10. Galileo believed in the divine origin of the universe and didn't want to conflict with the church, but his teaching about the heliocentric system of the world was considered heretical. He was arrested and even threatened with torture. As a result, Galileo verbally renounced his ideas, but he continued his work nonetheless. Even in his last years, when he was blind, he didn't abandon his work, dictating notes to assistants.
11. Even after his recantation and pardon, Galileo remained under the watchful eye of the Inquisition. He spent the last 9 years of his life practically under house arrest, with inquisitors closely monitoring all his movements and personal contacts.
12. Galileo Galilei died on January 8, 1642, at the age of 77. After his death, he was quietly buried without elaborate ceremonies. Officially, the Vatican acknowledged that the scientist was not guilty of anything, and his trial was a mistake, only three and a half centuries after Galileo's passing.
13. Galileo had a civil wife, Marina Gamba. The woman bore him three children, a son Vincenzo and two daughters: Livia and Virginia. Since all the children were born out of wedlock, they were considered illegitimate. Therefore, the daughters became nuns. Only Galileo's son managed to be recognized as legitimate.
14. The lineage of the great scientist ended with his only grandson (son of Vincenzo), who became a monk and burned all his grandfather's manuscripts because he considered them blasphemous.
