Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Italian astronomer Galileo was a physicist and philosopher influential.

Galileo Galilei was born February 15, 1564 in the province of Pisa, the son of a musician. He began studying medicine at the University of Pisa, but changed to philosophy and mathematics. In 1589 he became professor of mathematics at Pisa. In 1592 he moved to become Professor of Mathematics, University of Padua, a position he held until 1610. During this period he worked a series of experiments, such as the speed with which the different objects fall, mechanics and pendulums.

In 1609, Galileo heard about the invention of the telescope in Holland. Without seeing an example, built high and made many astronomical discoveries. These include the mountains and valleys on the surface of the moon, sunspots, the four largest moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus. His work in astronomy made him famous and was appointed court mathematician in Florence.

In 1614, Galileo was accused of heresy for supporting Copernicus' theory that the sun was the center of the solar system. It was revolutionary at a time when most people believed the Earth was the center position. In 1616 he was banned by the church in education or defense of these theories.

In 1632 he was again convicted of heresy, after his "book Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems was published in the head. This sets out the arguments for and against the Copernican theory in the form of a conversation between two men. Galileo was summoned Inquisition in Rome. 'Status sentenced to life imprisonment, later reduced permanent house arrest in his villa in Arcetri, south of Florence. It' was also forced to publicly Peru to support the theory of Copernicus.

Although he was blind, he continued to write. In 1638, his "Discourse on Two New Sciences" was published with the ideas of Galileo's laws of motion and the principles of mechanics. Galileo died in Arcetri January 8, 1642.