Father of Modern Science: Galileo Galilei, Modern Science, Early Life, Contributions, Work Life and Discoveries

Father of Science Overview 

Galileo Galilei, an Italian mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, was dubbed the "Father of Physics" for his significant contribution to determining the motion of things and developing the telescope. He used his telescope to detect the phases of Venus as well as the four biggest moons of Jupiter. He also discovered the isochronal property of the pendulum when he was 19 years old. Galileo's theories and thoughts served as the foundation for Newton's laws of motion and the Theory of Relativity.

Galileo Galilei Highlights

The following table gives details about the father of physics-

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Who is the Father of Science?

Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564, in Pisa, Italy, but spent much of his boyhood in Florence, Italy. His father, Vincenzo Galilei, was a well-known Florentine mathematician and pianist.He is known as the Father of Modern Astronomy, the Father of Modern Physics, and the Father of Science because of his experimental scientific methodology. Galileo's scientific experiments were a dynamic process that involved the investigation of causal linkages between diverse scientific ideas and tests. His scientific experiments have provided the foundation for unraveling nature's and the universe's secrets.

Father of Modern Science Early Life

He was taken to an abbey in Vallombrosa at the age of 11 to be schooled by monks (Heilbron, 2010). At the age of 15, he expressed his desire to become a monk himself but was expelled from school by his father, who claimed the monks were not caring for his son's health (Reston, 1994). He secretly wished for Galileo to become a doctor and live the life Vincenzo could never afford. 

Father of Science Education 

Galileo enrolled as a medical student at the University of Pisa in 1581, as per his father's desires. Galileo persuaded his father to let him study mathematics with the aid of court mathematician Ostilio Ricci (Reston, 1994). A penchant to dispute with his lecturers, however, gave him a terrible reputation and the nickname 'The Wrangler'. In 1585, he dropped out of university without receiving a diploma (Demuth, 2015). Galileo studied medicine at the University of Pisa from 1581 to 1585 but did not graduate, instead going to Florence to teach mathematics. 

Father of Modern Science Work Life 

In 1589, he returned to the University of Pisa, and in 1592, he transferred to the University of Padua to teach geometry, mechanics, and astronomy. He left in 1589 but returned to teach math at the same institution because he was enamored with the topic. During this time, he began researching scientific phenomena such as motion and gravity, as well as working on manuscripts, lectures, and treatises.

Despite his critique of Aristotle, he was given another prestigious job after his college teaching career. During this period, he returned to his work in applied physics, kinematics (or mechanical engineering), and materials engineering after being condemned to house detention by the Church Inquisition for supporting the Copernican heliocentric theory. 

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Why is Galileo Galilei called the Father of Modern Science?

Galileo was dubbed the "Father of Science" for his persuasive and precise findings in the field. He pioneered the experimental scientific method and introduced the refracting telescope as a tool for making significant astronomical discoveries. As a result, he is also known as the "Father of Modern Astronomy" and the "Father of Modern Physics."

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Father of Science Criticism (Later Life)

Contemporaries of Galileo acknowledged the danger of contradicting Church beliefs. However, by the early 17th century, the Church's teaching on scientific investigation had become ambiguous. Five years after the publication of his book, Sidereus Nuncius, the Church began definitive action against Galileo (Starry Messenger). He was called before the Roman Inquisition in 1615 and admonished not to prosecute anything relating to the heliocentric hypothesis. Later, in 1633, he was convicted of spreading Copernicus' thesis and sentenced to life in prison. On January 8, 1642, he died while under house imprisonment.

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Father of Modern Science Contributions

Galileo's scientific studies were not restricted to a single field. He was well-versed in moon properties, Venus's phases, Jupiter's four moons and sunspots, and current astronomical observations. He was also a quick thinker, optimizing the telescope for military and scientific applications as well as geometric computations. In 1632, he also wrote significant works like Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. It comprises a discussion based on the scientific Enlightenment, Galileo's astronomical discoveries and hypotheses, and Aristotle's Ptolemaic understanding of the world.

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Galileo Galilei's Major Discoveries

The following are some of the discoveries made by Galileo Galilei are as follows- 

1. Principle of pendulum fall rule
2. Earth's orbit is the phases of Venus (similar to the phases of the Moon).
3. Discovery of the 4 largest satellites of Jupiter
4. Milkyway
5. First Pandalam clock
6. Craters and mountains on the moon
7. Mathematical model of natural law
8. Laws of Nature
9. Math equations
10. Visionary
11. Galileo Micrometer
12. Galileo's Escape
13. Galileo Proportional Compass

Galileo Galilei Impact

NASA launched Galileo, the first unmanned scientific spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, sending probes into the planet's atmosphere and performing an asteroid fly-by in October 1989. The European Union and the European Space Agency created the Galileo Positioning System, a 30-satellite GPS system that commenced operations in 2016. Galileo's vast contribution to contemporary science resulted in the methodical application, development, and explanation of scientific methodology.

Key takeaways from the Father of Modern Science

1. Galileo accepted Copernicus' hypothesis that the earth rotates around the sun.
2. Galileo found that the Milky Way was made up of thousands of individual stars rather than a hazy bar of light. 
3. 'Galilean moons' refers to the four Jovian satellites identified by Galileo Galilei.