Scientists to solve astronomical riddle using Galileo DNA

[Galileo]

Scientists to solve astronomical riddle using Galileo DNA
January 19th, 2009 in General Science / Other




Italian scientists are trying to get Galileo's DNA in order to figure out how the astronomer forged groundbreaking theories on the universe while gradually becoming blind, a historian said Monday.



Scientists at Florence's Ins ute and Museum of the History of Science want to exhume the body of 17th Century astronomer Galileo Galilei to find out exactly what he could see through his telescope.



The Italian astronomer -- who built on the work of predecessor Nicolaus Copernicus to develop modern astronomy with the sun as the centre of the universe -- had a degenerative eye disease that eventually left him blind.



"If we succeed, thanks to DNA, in understanding how this disease distorted his sight, it could bring about important discoveries for the history of science," said the ins ute's director, Paolo Galluzzi.



"We could explain certain mistakes that Galileo made: why he described the planet Saturn as having 'lateral ears' rather than having seen it encircled by rings for example," said Galluzzi.



In an effort to recreate what Galileo -- who lived from 1564 to 1642 -- saw, the scientific team has made an exact replica of his telescope.



They now want to get DNA proof of what ophthalmologists have said was a genetic eye disease and thereby more fully understand the conditions under which he made observations that revolutionised our understanding of the cosmos.



It will take the team one year to raise the 300,000 euros (390,000 dollars) needed to finance the project and clear administrative hurdles to open Galileo's tomb in Florence's Santa Croce Basilica, Galluzzi said.



The United Nations proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo's observations.



In 1609, he discovered spots on the Sun, craters and peaks on the surface of the Moon and satellites orbiting Jupiter, thereby confirming Copernicus's theory that planets orbit the Sun rather than the Earth.



http://www.physorg.com/news151592402.html



Now is the time to clone Galileo!

[Galileo]

Outrage at proposal to exhume Galileo

By Malcolm Moore




Galileo Galilei, imprisoned by the Catholic Church for promoting heliocentrism

A proposal to dig up the body of Galileo has provoked a storm of protest.




Paolo Galluzzi, the director of the Ins ute of the History of Science, wants to conduct tests on the corpse, which lies in the Basilica of Santa Croce, in Florence.



He said there remained a mystery about the iden y of the body buried alongside Galileo.

The scientist died in 1642, after spending his final years in seclusion following his trial by the Church for promoting heliocentrism.

The Vatican refused to allow his burial among the "great figures" in Santa Croce, which include Nicolo Machiavelli and Michelangelo, and he was placed underneath the bell tower.

However, his body was moved in 1736 and a monument was built to him.



"Finally we will be able to discover whether the body buried with Galileo is that of his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste," said Mr Galluzzi.



"We can also find out if it is true that Galileo died blind. We also want to do some tests on his cranium".



Several members of the city council described the request as "morbid", especially in light of the celebrations that are planned for next year marking the 400th anniversary of his invention of the telescope.



Father Antonio Di Marcantonio, the rector, said: "This is a carnival. Leave us in peace. Nothing should be touched."



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...e-Galileo.html

[Galileo]

THE DEATH OF GALILEO


"On Wednesday, 8 January 1642 from the Incarnation at four o'clock in the night at the age of seventy-seven years, ten months and twenty days, with philosophical and Christian constancy Galileo rendered his soul to his Creator, sending it forth, as far as we can believe, to enjoy and admire more closely those eternal and immutable marvels, which that soul, by means of weak devices with such eagerness and impatience, had sought to bring near to the eyes of us mortals."

Vincenzio Viviani


"Today news has also come of the loss of Signor Galilei, which touches not just Florence, but the whole world and our whole century that from this divine man has received more splendor than from almost all the other ordinary philosophers. Now, envy ceasing, the sublimity of that intellect, will begin to be known which will serve all posterity as a guide in the search for truth."

Luca Holste


"GALILEO GALILEI FLORENTINE NOBLEMAN
Most Eminent Restorer of Geometry, Astronomy and Philosophy
Comparable to no one in his time
May he repose well here"

Galileo's Tomb