Galileo Galilei
February 15, 1564, Pisa, Italy - January 8, 1642, Arcetri, Italy
Tags
Scientist
Modern Era
Italian
I am Galileo Galilei, born February 15, 1564, in Pisa. I measured the swing of lamps in cathedrals and the fall of stones from towers — for nature, not custom, must be our guide.
With my telescope, I saw Jupiter’s moons, the phases of Venus, and mountains on our own Moon. I wrote Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, showing that Earth moves — and paid with my freedom for saying so.
Before inquisitors, I bent my words yet not my mind. Under house arrest in Arcetri, I continued my work by candlelight — still turning my lens to the stars.
What I Leave Behind
- I showed that observation is stronger than opinion.
- I proved that the heavens are not perfect spheres, but changing worlds.
- My defiance lives wherever reason asks, “What if we look closer?”
May you never fear to turn your own eye to the night sky and wonder what lies beyond.