Galileo's Chair in Padova by sandra46
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Description
This is the original chair (with a marble bust) where Galileo Galilei taught from when he was at the University of Padova. It is in the ante-room of the Aula Magna of the Bo, the oldest university building. This year it's the Galilean year in Padova, where Galileo experimented the first telescope on Dutch design, and discovered the satellites of Jupiter and the Canals of Mars. In the background there are the stylized portraits of some famous people who studied in Padova from all over Europe.
Galileo (1564-1642's championing of Copernicanism was controversial within his lifetime. In 1592, he moved to the University of Padua, teaching geometry, mechanics, and astronomy until 1610. During this period Galileo made significant discoveries in both pure science (for example, kinematics of motion, and astronomy) and applied science (for example, strength of materials, improvement of the telescope). His multiple interests included the study of astrology, which in pre-modern disciplinary practice was seen as correlated to the studies of mathematics and astronomy. On 25 August 1609, he demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers (hence the anniversary in 2009). His telescopes were a profitable sideline. He could sell them to merchants who found them useful both at sea and as items of trade. He published his initial telescopic astronomical observations in March 1610 in a brief treatise entitled Sidereus Nuncius (Starry Messenger). After 1610, when he began supporting heliocentrism publicly, he met with bitter opposition from some philosophers and clerics, and two of the latter eventually denounced him to the Roman Inquisition early in 1615. Although he was cleared of any offence at that time, the Catholic Church nevertheless condemned heliocentrism as "false and contrary to Scripture" in February 1616, and Galileo was warned to abandon his support for it—which he promised to do. When he later defended his views in his most famous work, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, published in 1632, he was tried by the Inquisition, found "vehemently suspect of heresy," forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Comments (34)
Sea_Dog
Marvelous work, Sandra. Your narrative really strengthens the image. Well done!
claude19
SPLENDID intervention about Galileo !!! Great shot of this part of museum !!! You explain with great lighting the story of this person and catholic Church !!! SPLENDID idea !!! Actually an artificial satellite is flying to make shots about the birthday of our Univers...with an approximation n of 350 years !!!
carlx
Fantastic presentation!!!
magnus073
Sandra you always do such a magnificent job in your presentations to us and this is indeed one of your best ever. Great photo and brilliant job on the history
decie
I can just see a guy up on that tell a woman that she is to be burned alive for been a witch, nice photo.
MOSKETON
gran trabajo, pero no me pidas que lo traduzca, no tengo memoria historica. ni momentanea. gracias por compartirlo. y sigo sin saber lo que censuraron.
virginiese
A nice dedication to this famous scientist !
MrsLubner
Very good shot. The composition has interest. Great info.
timtripp
excellent reminder of the foolishness of ignorant religion..
MC-Jay-One
Great shot!!
brycek
Wonderful presentation..interesting info and shot!!
pops
What a wonderful photo and history lesson
flora-crassella
very interesting picture!!!!
Miska7
Very nice image and history! Great shot.
durleybeachbum
Fascinating! i love those portraits!
schonee
Fantastic! Well done
sleeping_tiger
Wow awesome subject. Great photo.
jocko500
love the diff textures and shapes at they fix with the paintings
ShadowsNTime
Ohhh!!! Marvelous image and info! You have some of the best things where you are!
mgtcs
Amazing capture my friend, excellent narrative!
bazza
Nice capture and lesson on Galileo superb and interesting, well done Sandra.
wysiwig
Interesting image and history. The good news is that, after over 340 years, the Church finally decided Galileo was innocent.
flaviok
Captura fantástica, com uma esplanação magnifica minha amiga, obrigado, aplausos (5)
Minda
wow! this excellent sandra!!
MagikUnicorn
Thats a real Beauty
Hendesse
Excellent and interesting shot. Thanks for sharing.
Biffowitz
A wonderful tribute to Galileo Galilei. Fabulous capture and background info, it's all interesting stuff isn't it?
myquad
Beautiful capture!
Buffalo1
A wonderful tribute to a man of courage and genius. A great photo, too. It just goes to show youn that everyone has problems with TOS in their lives!
Radar_rad-dude
Excellent photography and accompanying descriptive!