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Posted by aparker22 on February 16, 2007, 1:34 pm
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The story of the discovery by Galileo of 4 of the moons of Jupiter is
interesting and instructive in the light of some of recent
astronomical comments in this website. The book 'Pioneers of Science'
by Oliver Lodge (Macmillan 1928) - my school prize for mathematics
and physics in 1934 - describes this event in this memorable manner:
'The news of the discovery soon spread and excited the greatest
interest and astonishment. Many of course refused to believe it. Some
there were who having been shown them refused to believe their eyes,
and asserted that although the telescope acted well enough for
terrestrial objects, it was altogether false and illusory when applied
to the heavens. Others took the safer ground of refusing to look
through the glass. One of those who would not look at the satellites
happened to die soon afterwards. "I hope," says Galileo, "that he saw
them on his way to heaven." '. The tale then refers to this letter
from Galileo to Kepler 'Oh my dear Kepler, how I wish that we could
have one hearty laugh together! Here, at Padua, is the principal
professor of philosophy whom I have repeatedly and urgently requested
to look at the moon and planets through my glass, which he
pertinaciously refuses to do. Why are you not here? What shouts of
laughter we should have at this glorious folly! And to hear the
professor of philosophy at Pia labouring before the grand duke with
logical arguments, as if with magical incantations, to charm the new
planets out of the sky.' At that time the moons were sometimes
described as new planets and it was generally thought that Jupiter and
other planets were located on rotating crystal spherical shells so
they could not have orbiting satellites. This indicates the attitude
of many scientists today who did not accept the possibility that the
"face" and other features on Mars may have been artefacts as soon as
they were visible on Viking images, without waiting for further
evidence because it rejected their firm belief that there could be no
signs of former intelligent activity on other planets then Earth. So
far, the further evidence is not conclusive.
--
Alex Parker
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