Galileo Galilei

       Galileo was a scientist, philospher and astronomer who had strong affinity for Copernicus.  Galileo was born in the latter part of the 16th century, not exactly your scientific era.  But to Galileo it was.  He is sometimes to referred to as the father of modern science because of his own significant contributions to the telescope which made exploring the heavens so much more accessible and informative as well as his dependence on the teachings of Copernicus which were not exactly praised in the era of faith being more important than science.  His assertion that the sun was at the center of universe (heliocentric, after Copernicus) got him in serious trouble with the all powerful Catholic Church of the time.  He was forced to face the Roman Inquisition in 1615.  In 1616, the Inquisition made him swear to give up the notion of heliocentricity, which he said he would do.  Then he wrote the "Dialogue Concerning Two Chief World Systems" which upheld Copernicus' theory and he was tried again, accused of heresy, forced to recant and placed under house arrest where he remained until his death at age. 77 in 1642.

Review posted by: Spooks

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