This week’s episode is dedicated to the life and times of Galileo Galilei. In 1610, using a telescope of his own make and design, Galileo forever revolutionized astronomy as we know it. Not only did he prove the Copernican model (aka. the heliocentric model) of the Universe to be correct. His observations of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter’s moons, Mars, and the Milky Way effectively demonstrated that Earth was neither special nor unique in the Universe.
Galileo was a rare sort, a polymath, an intellectual giant, and a passionate soul. In that respect, his life and accomplishments are comparable only to individuals like Ptolemy, Copernicus, Newton, Einstein, and Hawking. While he didn’t get his due in his lifetime, history remembers Galileo for his efforts to break humanity out of provincially-minded dogma. That struggle continues today, and it’s good to honor and acknowledge those who contributed along the way.
Stories by Williams 