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Galileo – Interesting facts
The notion that the Earth revolves around the sun had been proposed as early as the
3rd century BC but died out when it failed to garner sufficient interest or proof
Scientists such as Ibn al-Haytham and Roger Bacon had urged the use of experiments long
before they became an accepted part of science in the 17th century.
Galileo's principle of relativity, according to which there is no absolute motion or absolute
rest, provided the basic framework for Newton's laws of motion, and later for Einstein's special
theory of relativity.
Galileo entered the University of Pisa in 1581 to study medicine, but was drawn instead
to philosophy and mathematics. In the end, he left university without a degree--but still
managed to become a professor.
Galileo’s many interests included the study of astrology, which, at the time, was a discipline
closely allied with mathematics and astronomy. In 1609, he cast a horoscope for the Grand
Duke Ferdinand of Tuscany, foretelling a long and happy life. The duke died 22 days later.
Galileo was buried twice. In 1642, he was relegated to a grave outside the church, punishment
for being a heretic. In 1737, however, his reputation was revived, andhe was reburied
with his ancestors in the main body of the chapel.
During this reburial, three fingers, a tooth, and several vertebrae were pilfered by ardent
admirers. The middle finger is currently on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence.