Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei is often called the father of modern science. He was born in Italy in 1564. He was one of the first people to use a telescope to study the stars and planets. His discoveries changed how people think about the solar system.

Early Life

Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy. His father was a musician. Galileo first studied medicine but soon fell in love with math and science. He became a professor at a young age.

A colorful NASA sky map showing the very early universe.
A colorful NASA sky map showing the very early universe. (NASA / WMAP Science Team / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Discoveries

Galileo built a powerful telescope and discovered four moons around Jupiter. He also saw mountains on our Moon. He supported the idea that Earth goes around the Sun. This got him in trouble with the Catholic Church.

Fun Facts

  • Galileo supposedly dropped two balls from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to test gravity.
  • He discovered the rings of Saturn but thought they were handles.
  • Galileo was put under house arrest for the last years of his life.

Did You Know?

In 1992, the Catholic Church officially said Galileo was right. It took over 350 years for them to admit their mistake.