Astronomer and Physicist Galileo Galilei was born in 15 February 1564 and died at 8 January 1642. He was an astronomer, physicist, and engineer, sometimes described as polymath from Pisa. Galileo has been called the "father of observational astronomy", the "father of modern physics", the "father of the scientific method", and the "father of modern science".
Galileo studied speed and velocity, gravity and free fall, the principle of relativity, inertia, projectile motion and also worked in applied science and technology, describing the properties of pendulums and "hydrostatic balances", inventing the thermoscope and various military compasses, and using the telescope for scientific observations of celestial objects. His contributions to observational astronomy include the telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus, the observation of the four largest satellites of Jupiter, the observation of Saturn's rings, and the analysis of sunspots.
On this day, August 25, in 1609 Galileo Galilei demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers, including Leonardo Donato, the Doge (ruler) of Venice. At the time, Galileo taught geometry, mechanics, and astronomy at the University of Padua, which was part of the Venetian republic.
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