- 400th anniversary of Galileo’s Discoveries (1609)

THE ORGANIZATION

400th anniversary of Galileo’s Discoveries (1609)

Countries : Italy
Year : 2009

The year 2009 will mark 400 years since the invention of the telescope and the revolutionary celestial observations that Galileo made thanks to it.
In the autumn of 1609, strange objects known as cannoni (cannons) or tubi ottici (optical tubes) appeared in Venice. Distant objects appeared much closer to those who looked through the tube's ocular lens. Like many others, Galileo Galilei's attention was caught by this tool, generally considered a curious plaything. He then worked on perfecting it and soon built more effective lenses. In Galileo's hands the plaything became a real scientific instrument. During the last weeks of 1609, Galileo directed the cannon at the starry sky. This paved the way for the unexpected discovery of sensational celestial novelties that were to produce an epoch-making intellectual and anthropological revolution.
Galileo's first use of the telescope was indeed an event that deeply changed the world, leading to the affirmation of modern science and of a new rational anthropology.
These celebrations are an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the role of astronomy in enriching all human cultures and will arouse strong interest and encourage specific cultural events and activities all over the world.

Updated:29-05-2008 1:27 pm