December 1634

Farewell.

I have been placed under house arrest, condemned to live out my remaining years under guard's watch. I will remain in Florence. I am deeply saddened by this turn of events, but I will have the stars to keep me company.

Farewell.

Image: Drawing by Galileo of the Pleiades as seen through his telescope.

April 1633

The Inquisition.

The formal interrogation by the Inquisition is complete. I have been detained these last weeks by my interrogators. But I have been treated well.

For a lesser sentence, I agreed to plead guilty as charged. I have made my confession. I have confessed that my writings on the Copernican theory were too strongly stated. I have offered to refute these writings in another text.

October 1632

Notification of Summons.

I have been summoned to Rome by the Inquisitor in Florence. While I cannot denounce what I believe, I fear for my life.


"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended to forgo their use...He would not require us to deny sense and reason in physical matters which are set before our eyes and minds by direct experience or necessary demonstrations." Galileo Galilei

February 1632

Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems.

After some five years, I have finally completed my text. The authorities of the Church have granted final approval for its publication. My testament for the Copernican system has been printed with the blessing of the Church!

[Note: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems was written in the form of a dialogue between three speakers: Salviati, a Copernican who speaks for Galileo himself; Sagredo, an open-minded man who gradually comes to accept Salviati's arguments; and Simplicio, a defender of the Ptolemaic world-view. The dialogue form allowed Galileo to claim impartiality as he was "equally" presenting both views–although he clearly weighted the dialogue toward the Copernican point of view.]

Image: Cover page and title page from published text.

April 1624

Rome.

While in Rome, I have had several audiences with Pope Urban VIII, my dear friend. He asserts that I can write of the Copernican theory, provided I frame it as a mathematical hypothesis.

Image: Portrait of Pope Urban VIII by Bernini Gian Lorenzo.

February 1616

A Warning!

By order of Pope Paul V, I have been warned against holding and defending the position that the Sun is the center of our universe. They have communicated with the Inquisition! Again I am called a heretic! I am forbidden to discuss the Copernican theory verbally or in writing.

Image: Portrait of Pope Paul V by Caravaggio.

December 1614

I hear tell that Tommaso Caccini has delivered a sermon, this Advent, against the notion of a Sun-Centered universe. I have been called a heretic!!


"I hold the sun to be situated motionless in the center of the revolution of the celestial orbs while the earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun." Galileo Galilei

December 1610

Observations of Venus.

Have been observing Venus nightly. And I believe Venus, much like the moon, goes through phases. I cannot contain myself. These observations lead only to one conclusion...Venus orbits the Sun!

"There are astronomical arguments derived from many things in my new celestial discoveries that plainly confute the Ptolemaic system while admirably agreeing with and confirming the contrary hypothesis." Galileo Galilei

June 1610

Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger).

I have published my findings regarding the irregular lunar surface and of the moons of Jupitor - the Medicean Stars.

Have now been appointed the First Mathematician of the University of Pisa. I have been granted a generous salary and I will no longer teach. Word of my telescope and findings has spread. Father would have been so proud.

January 1610

Celestial Observations.

Continue to make improvements to my spyglass. I have turned my eyes toward the heavens to observe the moon. It is a remarkable sight. The moon seems to be marked not only with the familiar ancient spots, but also smaller spots, unseen by our natural sight. Over weeks, I have witnessed changes in the shadings that I believe to be shadows on the moon's surface. I continue my observations nightly, but I heartily believe that there exist mountains and valleys on the surface of the moon!

Image: Galileo's wash drawings of the moon.

1609

The Spyglass.

"A report reached my ears that a certain Fleming had constructed a spyglass...Upon hearing the news, I set myself to thinking about the problem...Finally, sparing neither labor nor expense, I succeeded in constructing for myself so excellent an instrument that objects seen by means of it appeared nearly one thousand times larger and over thirty times closer than when regarded with our natural vision." Galileo Galilei

Image: Galileo's telescope.

1604

Law of Falling Bodies.

After years of experimentation, of trial and error, I have proven Aristotle wrong! I have proven that all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass. Falling objects obey the law of uniform accelerated motion!

December 1592

University of Padua.

Am now at Padua. A Professor of Mathematics.

Continue my experiments in hopes of disproving Aristotle.

[Note: The University of Padua was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe, known particularly for the rigor of its Aristotelean logic and science. The university was also an innovator in the fields of mathematics and anatomy.]

June 1589

Professor of Mathematics at the University of Pisa.

After much struggle and many failings, I am once again at my beloved Pisa! I will begin a teaching post in mathematics at the univeristy in the coming weeks. They once forced me to leave, but now will welcome me back as Professor. Father tells me he is impressed with my tenacity and very proud of my hard work.

August 1585

University of Pisa.

Much to my dismay I will be leaving the university, a failure. While I continue to excel in mathematics, I have lost all interest in my other studies. Father is greatly disapointed. Will continue my experiments in mathematics and physics on my own.

I may leave Pisa, considering a move to Florence.

January 1582

University of Pisa.

Father continues his discontent with my interest in mathematics. He does not appreciate that mathematics and the study of motion are my true passions, NOT medicine.

Experiments going well. Spending much free time at the cathedral and the tower of Piza.

November 1581

University of Pisa.

Am enjoying my time at the university. As father wished, I have chosen to study medicine.

However, I am especially enjoying my work in mathematics. Increasingly frustrated by Aristotle's theories. Although I haven't fully conceptualized my own, I believe Aristotle to be incorrect in his belief that heavier objects will drop more quickly than lighter objects. Begin formulating expanded theory.

Spent the afternoon in the cathedral. Entranced by the continuous motion of the hanging lamp. Plan to return for more observations tomorrow afternoon.

Image: Aristotle. Detail from the fresco The School of Athens by Raphael