ABOUT GALILEO
Galileo Galilei was a genius of many talents who lived from 1564 to 1643. His discoveries not only revolutionized astronomy, but also made advances in the sciences, mathematics,music and art. Although Galileo was a religious man, he often challenged the ideas of the Church with his theories and with his beliefs in the Copernican system. Galileo sought truth, which he believed was all around us.

Galileo is most famous for his use of the telescope as an astronomical instrument. His telescope allowed him to see the moon, sunspots, phases of Venus, and the moons of Jupiter. He demonstrated that the Copernican system was correct; the Earth and other planets revolved around the Sun.

Galileo's birthday is February 15! (by the Julian calendar)

• The Galileo Project Timeline
  
• Excellent website on Galileo's telescope
  
• Telescopes From the Ground Up Explore the history of telescopes, from Galileo to NASA's Great Observatories

Selected Activities adapted from Galileo for Kids: His Life and Ideas by Richard Panchyk from Chicago Review Press, 2005; Foreword by Buzz Aldrin. The book contains a great deal of background information and many more activities that are ideal for the International Year of Astronomy, and is recommended by NSTA (National Science Teachers Association).

• Lunar Observation, Part 1 and Part 2
  
• Gravity Experiment
  
• Properties of the Ellipse
  
• Liquid Density
  
• Aperture Experiment
  
• Cast a Shadow
  
• Perception of Illumination