Galileo ~ He was an Italian astronomer, physicist, inventor, mathematician, and philosopher From 1564 to 1642 ~ Lived in Florence from 1572 ~ Interestingly was going to study for the Priesthood, but later decided to pursue a medical degree at the University of Pisa ~ Never completed medical degree and later studied math
Date of Birth Galileo was born on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Italy
Death He died near Florence on January 8th, 1642
Contributions ~ Major contributor in the fields of astronomy and physics and many of his theories still relevant today ~ Contributions to science in motion, astronomy, strength of materials, and helped develop the scientific method ~ Law of falling bodies lead to huge changes in the study of motion and physics ~ Changed philosophy from being verbal to one that through math and experimentation became a recognized form to find the facts and truths of nature
Life's Work ~ Galileo's life work encompassed many things throughout his lifetime for the advancement of science. For example he supported Copernicus' idea of a heleocentric Earth (circles the sun) rather than geocentric (sun circles earth) ~ He made advancements with astronomy, discovering that Jupiter has four moons: Lo, Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto ~ He may not have created many theories but he critiqued many and the suggestions/ corrections he made led to those theories being universally adopted and used ~ Constructed the first known complete astronomical telescope in 1609 ~ Was credited with making the world's first working thermometer, although it was not very accurate