From Friday August 21 2009

A galactic pioneer!

Galileo was an astro-physicist whose theories and major inventions would go on to revolutionise the field of Astronomy.

Born in Pisa Galileo naturally gravitated to the world of science at a young age. His most well-known invention the telescope was his personal pride and joy. Galileo redesigned and ameliorated his brainchild over the years ever the perfectionist before being satisfied.

This revolutionary tool was presented to the Doge in Venice on August 21st 1609 during a demonstration that impressed the entire court. After a time of study and observation Galileo outlined the idea of a potential solar system embracing the theories of Copernicus on heliocentrism. As a result he was persecuted by the Inquisition who condemned him to life in prison. It was only thanks to pope Urban VIII that he avoided the sentence and was put under house-arrest for his remaining years.

Address

Observatoire de Paris
77 avenue Denfert-Rochereau
75014 PARIS
01 40 51 22 21