Galileo on the Copernicus Theory
Galileo, over several of years became really interested in the controversial theory of Nicolas Copernicus which stated that the sun was at the center of the Universe. Galileo shared his findings with only a trusted few. He disclosed this information in his 1597 letter to Johannes Kepler, a mathematician interested in planetary study. Later on after Galileo discovered the invention of the telescope in Holland, he decided to invent a more advanced version of it and use it to prove the theory of Copernicus to be true. Galileo tried to determine the position of the, moon and planets and record them to keep data of their movements. By doing so, Galileo found that Venus went through phases just like the moon which indicated that it revolved the sun. The sketches of Jupiter also show how it has four moons revolving around it, proving that not everything revolved around Earth! After Galileo had enough evidence, he felt it was time to share it with the rest of the world. Galileo wrote many books, tracts, pamphlets, letters, and dialogues such as the Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, Sidereus Nuncius , Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina and many others. Galileo's books became very popular amongst the scholars and philosophers. The Church did not like this, and so his writings were banned.