Galileo and the Telescope

Last updated about 4 years ago

8 questions

Problems with the Church
In 1592 Galileo became chair of mathematics at the University of Padua. He taught there until 1610. At that time, math also included astronomy, so Galileo also studied and taught about planets and stars. Based on his observations of the night sky, Galileo began to question Aristotle’s geocentric theory, the theory that Earth was the center of the universe. This theory had been accepted as the truth for 2,000 years!

Before Galileo, scientists and the Church believed what about the position of the earth in the Universe?

Galileo used mathematical equations to determine that the planets could not possibly orbit Earth. He found that his research supported the theory of a Polish astronomer named Copernicus, who in 1543 suggested that Earth was one of several planets that rotated around the sun. Most people believed that the sun orbited Earth, making Earth and its inhabitants the center of the universe. This was the teaching of the Catholic Church.

What was the Catholic Church teaching about the orbit of the sun?

In 1611 Galileo went to Rome briefly where he continued working and publishing. He published his essays in Italian rather than Latin so that everyone, not just scholars, could read them.

The fact that Galileo published his works in Italian is similar to the fact that Martin Luther published the New Testament in German.

In 1616 the Catholic Church banned Galileo’s works. In Europe the Inquisition involved investigating and punishing people whose ideas and practices challenged the Catholic Church. Galileo’s writings were seen as opposing the Church’s teachings and were therefore considered dangerous.

Was the Church tolerant of Galileo's work? Defend your answer (how do you know?)

His conflict with the Church became more intense in February 1632 after Galileo published a book supporting the claim that Earth orbited the sun. The Church viewed this as heresy, which means that the book went against Catholic teachings. Galileo was placed under house arrest.

What did the Church do in response to Galileo publishing work that stated the Earth Orbited the sun?

His health began to fail during this imprisonment, which lasted the remaining eight years of his life. Yet he refused to stop questioning and thinking. He managed to secretly publish one more book, in which he was able to refine many of the theories he had been developing over the years. He died in 1642.

Galileo gave into the Church and published a new book with theories that only matched the Church's teaching.

How does this political cartoon relate to the reading passages above? OR What is the message of this political cartoon?

Based on the reading and image, how did the Church treat scientists who disagreed with the teaching of the Church? answer in complete sentences using details from the readings.