Fun fact about Galileo and the Moon. Late in life, Galileo discovered the librations of the moon, small oscillations in the Moon's orientation that allow us to peek at small bits of the dark side. At the time of this discovery, he was already 68 and in the process of going blind. He went completely blind a few years later.

[–] nevernevermore@kbin.social 55 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Fun fact

He went completely blind a few years later.

this got progressively less fun as it went along

[–] dan80@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 years ago

yep, it took a dark turn.

[–] palitu@aussie.zone 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Really cool. Are there any details about it?

[–] Hubi@feddit.de 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Here's the article on the pamphlet that Galileo published the pictures in:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidereus_Nuncius

[–] palitu@aussie.zone 6 points 2 years ago

Thanks, interesting read.

Can you imagine seeing for the first time Jupiter through a telescope?

And then he was put under house arrest by the catholic Church!

[–] mookulator@mander.xyz 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Is this in a museum somewhere? Would be cool to see up close

[–] player2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I found a great scan of the original book on the Smithsonian website but I'm still unsure where it is located today.

https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/sidereusnuncius00gali

[–] wrath-sedan@kbin.social 6 points 2 years ago

Something about these is so calming, thanks Gal Gal.

[–] oce@jlai.lu 1 points 2 years ago

Galileo Galileo