Chapter 12: The Crime and Punishment of Galileo

Overview

• Lecture on Galileo Galilei
• Focus on his contributions and conflicts
• Importance of reading Chapter 12

Galileo's Key Contributions

1. Improvement of the Telescope

• Known for enhancing the telescope
• Allowed for better astronomical observations
• Used telescope in unconventional ways

2. Astronomical Discoveries

• Moons revolve around planets
• Planets revolve around the Sun
• Important observations included in the "Starry Messenger"
• Observed new stars and imperfections on the Moon

3. Research on Motion and Falling Bodies

• Significant research in physics

Early Life and Career

• At 25: Math professor at University of Pisa
• 1592: Moved to University of Padua, Republic of Venice
• Italy was not yet unified

Development and Use of the Telescope

• 1608: Received a telescope from a friend, likely from Holland
• Improved its design for astronomical observations
• Wrote observations in "The Starry Messenger" (1610)
  • New stars
  • Imperfections on the Moon
  • Jupiter's four moons

Controversy and Inquisition

• Galileo's findings contradicted religious views
• "Starry Messenger" stirred controversy
• Holy Office of the Inquisition opened a file on him
• Orders to halt defending Copernican views

Copernican Controversy

• Copernicus’ book "De Revolutionibus" was banned
• Galileo warned not to support Copernican heliocentrism

Court Patronage and Science

• Galileo became chief mathematician and philosopher at the Medici Court in Florence
• Patronage by courts facilitated scientific research
• Renaissance academies and informal associations supported science outside universities
• Future developments: National Scientific Academies like the Royal Academy in London

Later Works: Observations and Publications

• "Letters on Sunspots"
  • Studied sunspots, challenging the idea of celestial perfection
  • Observed changes in Venus' orbit and wrote about Saturn
• Advocated separation of church and science
  • Nature and the Bible as separate sources of truth
  • Reinterpretation needed if contradictions appear

Dialogue of the Two Chief Systems of the World

• Completed book comparing Copernican and Ptolemaic systems
• Presented as a dialogue among three individuals

Important Takeaways

• Galileo's innovative use of the telescope had a monumental impact on astronomy
• His findings led to significant controversy with the church
• Patronage and new forms of scientific associations played a crucial role in spreading scientific ideas

Homework

• Read Chapter 12 for more details on Galileo's life, scientific contributions, and conflicts