Galileo’s telescope: the beginning of a new era

Four hundred years ago, Galileo designed his most wonderful creation: a telescope. At that time, there were already other telescopes invented by other scientists in Europe. The problem with those was that they could only magnify objects 4 times. Galileo’s telescope, on the other hand, was able to magnify things 20 times. This tool allowed Galileo to prove, to his misfortune and to our fortune, that the Copernican Theory that says that the planets rotate around the sun was correct.

If we think about it, it is amazing to see how such a small tool was used for these enormous discoveries. This telescope had only two lenses inside of a stick of wood; if compared to the elaborate ones scientists use nowadays, this is a minuscule instrument. It is with this telescope that Galileo could see Venus, the satellites of Jupiter, a supernova, and the moon. Less light pollution and perhaps better vision back then could have helped Galileo to see more with a rudimentary tool like this.

NASA is planning to launch the James Webb space telescope in 2013. This telescope will use wavelengths and infrared light to be able to see hidden objects in space. With its great mirror, Webb will be able to see 200 million years after the Big Bang. Compared to what happened 400 years ago, it is amazing to see how far science has gone, how many things we know and how many we will learn. I wish Galileo could be here.


Some websites for your enjoyment are:

• More information about Galileo Galilei, his life and findings can be found at the Galileo Project
  
  
• Harry Ransom Center has an exhibit called: "Other Worlds: Rare Astronomical Works" from September 8th 2009 to January 3rd, 2010. This is a collection of some of the most important astronomical discoveries over the last 500 years
  
  
• Telescopes From the Ground Up
  
  
• Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens
  
  

If you feel like checking something out from the library, here are some suggestions:

• 400 Years of the Telescope [DVD]: A Journey of Science, Technology and Thought
  
  
• Galileo's Glassworks: The Telescope and the Mirror
  
  
• Galileo's Battle for the Heavens [DVD]
  
  
• The Church and Galileo
  
  
• Galileo's Mistake: A New Look at the Epic Confrontation Between Galileo and the Church
  
  
• The Telescope: Its History, Technology, and Future
  
  
• Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope

** Picture taken from Encyclopædia Britannica Online