| | Galileo tested [[Aristotle]]'s theory that heavy objects fall faster than light ones and found it was a consequence of air resistance, not [[gravity]]. By making careful measurements he found he could use mathematics to measure the acceleration of gravity and predict the movements of [[pendulum]]s and tides. | | Galileo tested [[Aristotle]]'s theory that heavy objects fall faster than light ones and found it was a consequence of air resistance, not [[gravity]]. By making careful measurements he found he could use mathematics to measure the acceleration of gravity and predict the movements of [[pendulum]]s and tides. |
| − | Galileo got approval from Rome to write his book ''Dialogue on the Tides'', which discussed both the Ptolemaic and Copernican hypotheses, as long as it discussed both systems and did not draw a conclusion that would make the heliocentric world view be viewed as fact instead of theory. Rome changed the title to ''Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems'' and it was published in Florence in 1632. Unfortunately for Galileo, the work was not made to be evenhanded. Indeed, the Ptolemaic character, called 'Simplicius' often stumbled over his own errors and seemed quite foolish. Galileo had moved out of bounds. The Church felt they had made themselves clear. At a different time, the reaction might have been different, but it was in the middle of the [[30 years war]], the most deadly war in Europe ever fought between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholic Church had to show it had authority and strength. | + | Galileo got approval from Rome to write his book ''Dialogue on the Tides'', which discussed both the Ptolemaic and Copernican hypotheses, as long as it discussed both systems and did not draw a conclusion that would make the heliocentric world view be viewed as fact instead of theory. Rome changed the title to ''Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems'' and it was published in Florence in 1632. Unfortunately for Galileo, the work was not made to be evenhanded. Indeed, the Ptolemaic character, called 'Simplicius' often stumbled over his own errors and seemed quite foolish. Galileo had moved out of bounds and even his name 'Simplicius' seemed designed to embarrass the Church. The Church felt they had made themselves clear. At a different time, the reaction might have been different, but it was in the middle of the [[30 years war]], the most deadly war in Europe ever fought between Catholics and Protestants, and embarrassing one side could result in the loss in life. Galileo claimed approval by the Church for his entire work, and that was simply false. It would be analogous today to someone speaking in the name of an organization in a way that embarrasses it, and the result is typically the same: the person is promptly fired. The Catholic Church had to show it had authority and strength. |
| − | The Church officials, who felt Galileo had embarrassed them, found that Galileo had erred by advocating heliocentrism as scientifically proven, which was not compatible with the Inquisition’s 1616 ruling or what Galileo had recently been told. In 1633 Galileo was ordered to stand trial in Rome. Galileo voluntarily submitted to Church authority and, according to the terms of his sentence, renounced his [[thesis]] of his [[book]]. At first he was sentenced to life imprisonment, but this was immediately commuted to luxurious house arrest. His book was burned, and the sentence against him was read aloud in public in every university. <ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761557587&pn=3 ''MSN Encarta'' - Galileo (p3)]</ref> Galileo went back to studying motion and mechanics in his private villa. | + | The Church officials, who felt Galileo had embarrassed them, found that Galileo had erred by advocating in the name of the Church that heliocentrism was scientifically proven. This was not compatible with the Inquisition's 1616 ruling and what Galileo had recently been told. In 1633 Galileo was ordered to stand trial in Rome. Galileo could have left the Church but instead chose to submit voluntarily its authority and decision. According to the terms of his sentence, renounced his [[thesis]] of his [[book]]. At first he was sentenced to life imprisonment, but this was immediately commuted to luxurious house arrest. His book was burned, and the sentence against him was read aloud in public in every university. <ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761557587&pn=3 ''MSN Encarta'' - Galileo (p3)]</ref> Galileo went back to studying motion and mechanics in his private villa. |