Monthly Archives: February 2021

Galileo Galilei: More Than a Fun Name to Say

Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy, on February 15, 1564 (his birthday is tomorrow!) and died on January 8, 1642 (Wikipedia Contributors, 2021). Galileo was instrumental to the field of astronomy (and arguably one of the most iconic astronomers), with one of his most prominent contributions being the solidification of the Copernican view. Galileo… Continue reading

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Historical Figures in Context

Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 1st, 1473, and he died on May 24th, 1543. You can find this information, as well as more information about Copernicus’s life here. Nicolaus Copernicus came up with the heliocentric model of the universe, which theorized that the Sun, rather than the Earth, was at the center of the … Continue reading Historical Figures in Context Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

My chosen historical astronomer is Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer known for developing the scientific method, improving the telescope, and living under house arrest. During Galilei’s life, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII implemented the Gregorian calendar, the one we use today, to replace the previous Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is slightly more accurate. TheContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus (February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) was important to astronomy because, when he was studying astronomy, the Ptolemaic model for planetary motion was no longer accurate so he began studying Aristachus’ model from 1700 years before in which the planets orbit the sun. While working based on this idea, he was ableContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus was born on February 19th, 1473 and died on May 24th, 1543 (Redd). Nicholas Copernicus’s biggest contribution to astronomy was the idea that the planets and Earth revolve around the sun, instead of everything revolving around Earth. He also claimed the Earth spins on its axis, and its revolution around the sun is […] Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Tycho Brahe: (12/14/1546 – 10/24/1601) The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre occurred in Paris on August 24th and 25th in 1572. This massacre was orchestrated by the Catholic Catherine de Medici, carried out by Catholic noblemen and citizens, and resulted in the slaughter of French Huguenots (protestants). In February 1570, Queen Elizabeth I of England wasContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Galileo Galilei [February 15, 1564–January 8, 1642] was important to astronomy because his work “answered all three objections” to Copernicus’s view of the solar system. These three objections were (1) “that Earth could not be moving,” (2) that orbits had to be circular because the heavens are “perfect and unchanging,” and (3) that Earth cannotContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus was the one of the earliest astronomers of the Renaissance. Born: February 19, 1473 Died: May 24, 1543 1492: Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. His discovery of the Americas opened up a new section of world which sparked the Columbian Exchange. This led to the Age of Exploration, and greatly expanded theContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Historical Astronomers in Context

Galileo Galilei Born: 2/15/1564 | Died: 1/8/1642 | Galileo Influence on Astronomy 1588: The Spanish Armada was defeated by Britain, which lessened Spain’s influence in the New World and increased English influence in the Americas. Britain also seized control of the Atlantic Ocean. 1620: The Mayflower Compact was signed. It was the first document toContinue reading “Historical Astronomers in Context” Continue reading

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Astronomy & the Catholic Church

Although some might make the claim that the Catholic Church has and always will be anti-science (a myth perpetuated partly by Catholic fundamentalism), the church has actually had a longstanding relationship with the sciences dating as far back as the early Middle Ages. [1] The beginning of the church’s interest in astronomy began when issues… Continue reading

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