Find out interesting facts about Galileo Gelilei including what he is nicknamed, what his most famous accomplishments were, the titles of his literary publications, and how long he spent under house arrest.
Galileo Fact Sheet: Who was Galileo? The following short biography and fact sheet provides interesting facts about the life, times and history of Galileo, the famous Italian astromoner.
Galileo Fact File: Lifespan: 1564 – 1642 *** Full Name: Galileo was also known as Galileo Galilei *** Date of Birth (Birthday): He was born on February 15, 1564 *** Place of Birth: Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy *** Family background: His father was as famous composer called Vincenzo Galilei *** Galileo died on January 8, 1642
Galileo Fact 1: Galileo was born during the Renaissance period, on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Italy.
Galileo Fact 2: He was a Italian scientist, astronomer, engineer, physicist, mathematician and philosopher. He is famous for many reasons; one of his biggest being the developments and improvements that he made to the telescope.
Galileo Fact 3: His full name was Galileo Galilei, however, he has since become known by various others names including the father of modern physics, the father of modern observational astronomy, and the father of modern science.
Galileo Fact 4: He made many discoveries and developments during his lifetime, many of which have greatly influenced the revolution of science. He is often considered one of the greatest scientists of all time.
Galileo Fact 5: His father was called Vincenzo Galilei and he was a well known composer and lutenist (player of string instuments). Galileo and his younger brother Michelangelo also became lutenists, having been taught by their father.
Galileo Fact 6: He was born into a Roman Catholic family. He had five younger siblings, only three of them survived childhood.
Galileo Fact 7: He made the first recorded telescopic observations of the phases of the planet Venus in 1610. The phases of Venus can be described as the variations of lighting which can be viewed on the surface of planet Venus as a result of the its orbit around the Sun.
Galileo Fact 8: He discovered Jupiter's four biggest satellites around January 1610. The moons are named 'Galilean moons' in his honor and they are four of the largest objects in our solar system. The four moons associated with Galilean moons are lo, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. The largest of the Galilean moons is Ganymede.
Galileo Fact 9: He telescopically observed and analysed sunspots which had previously been misinterpreted, and in 1612, he was able to give the correct explanation.
Galileo Fact 10: With the assistance of Marc'Antonio Mazzoleni, he invented a military compass which became an important calculating device used mainly during the 16th to 19th centuries. He created over 100 military compasses, and from 1595 to 1598, he taught students how to use the instrument.
Galileo Fact 11: He defended heliocentrism; an astronomical model where the sun is central to the solar system with the Earth and planets revolving around it. With his newly invented telescope, he viewed and analysed the night sky and was able to present supporting observations.
Galileo Fact 12: He published a short astronomical essay in 1610 called 'Sidereus Nuncius'. It became the first scientific publication related to telescopic observations. The pamphlet contained the scientist's early observations of the Earth's moon, the Milky Way and various constellations.
Galileo Fact 13: He published a book in 1632 called 'The Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems'. The book, as with previous literary works by Galileo Galilei, defended heliocentrism. It compared the Copernican system with the Ptolemaic system (In the Ptolemaic system, everything revolves around the Earth).
Galileo Fact 14: 'The Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems' literary works by Galileo Galilei appeared to offend and violate Pope Urban VIII, and as a consequence, Galileo was tried and found 'vehemently suspect of heresy'. He was forced to spend the rest of his days under house arrest. He remained under house arrest for eight year.
Galileo Fact 15: Whilst under house arrest, he wrote an account of the discoveries he had made during his lifetime. It was his final book and it was called 'The Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Relating to Two New Sciences'. The two sciences are now known as kinematics and strength of materials.
Galileo Fact 16: Despite having being banned by the Roman Inquisition from publishing any further literary works. Lodewijk Elzevir agreed to publish his final book in 1638.
Galileo Fact 17: He met Marina di Andrea Gamba during a trip to Venice. Although they never married, they lived together and had three children; two daughters and a son. Their children were called Virginia, Livia and Vincenzo.
Galileo Fact 18: He sent his daughters, Virginia and Maria, to a convent as he considered them unmarriageable due to their illegitimate births. They became Sister Maria Celeste and Sister Arcangela.
Galileo Fact 19: In 1619, following his request, the Grand Duke of Tuscany legitimised Vincenzo as his son. After being legitimised, his son joined him in Florence and he later married Sestilia Bocchineri.
Galileo Fact 20: He died on January 8, 1642 at the age of 77 years. His death followed a fever and heart palpitations. The Grand Duke of Tuscany wanted him buried next to his father, in the main part of the Basilica of Santa Croce, however, Pope Urban VIII and Cardinal Francesco Barberini protested as he'd been condemned for being 'vehement suspicion of heresy' by the Roman Catholic church. He was buried by the notives' chapel, in a small room. In 1737, Galileo Galilei was reburied in the main part of the Basilica of Santa Croce where a statue had been erected in his memory.
Influence & Legacy of Galileo:
Galileo Galilei was a very important Italian astronomer who greatly influenced the revolution of science during the renaissance period. He invented a telescope which allowed him to view and analyse the solar system. He published literary works in defence of heliocentrism which eventually led to him been placed under house arrest for the rest of his life.
Short Facts about Galileo for Kids
The above short facts detail interesting information about the life, milestones, history and key events that occurred during the life of this famous character. A fast, simple way to present a short biography of Galileo with important dates and info that provides details such as the date of birth (birthday), place of birth, education, family, work and career. An ideal educational resource for kids, schools, teachers and social studies.