Monday we visited the Museo Galileo in Florence. While the whole museum was full of interesting items, my favorite were the globes and the moving model of the solar system. Neither of these things were as we picture them today. The globes didn't contain the New World and had different drawings of creatures, angels, etc on them as well. It was also interesting to see on the large map that Rome was intentionally at its center, since that was the home of the Pope and the Catholic Church. The movable, via crank, solar system (though probably not called that then) was a magnificent, though scientifically inaccurate now, geocentric model. It was interesting to learn that Catholics at that time believed the heavens occupied the space beyond Jupiter, the farthest viewed planet at the time. It was, and still is, truly awe inspiring to look at all that Galileo accomplished in his life throughout this museum visit!
I do believe the tour guide said with the crank solar system model, that even though it was based on the geocentric theory the paths or orbits of the other planets were mathematically correct, for that theory. I also liked how that was a wedding gift.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that the giant globe was fascinating. Though thought to be accurate at the time, it seems so unsophisticated today. The whole concept of the "prime mover" being the source of all the motion in the universe was also very interesting. What Galileo did to help refute the Aristotelian ideas was pretty revolutionary, and I wonder what sorts of projects he would be undertaking if he were alive today.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about asking for one as a wedding gift. I never asked, but I wondered where it was kept? Somewhere one could use it frequently? Maybe an observatory? I liked how they had separate globes for the earth and heavens.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about asking for one as a wedding gift. I never asked, but I wondered where it was kept? Somewhere one could use it frequently? Maybe an observatory? I liked how they had separate globes for the earth and heavens.
ReplyDeleteI definitely liked his geocentric solar system model. It makes you wonder what Galileo could have accomplished in today's society with all the advancements that we have in technology. How much farther ahead would we be if her lived during in today's era??
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