Celebrating the Firmament
In 1609, Galileo simply lifted the end of his telescope, from horizontal to inclined, and observed. While the act itself was simple, what Galileo did with his observations was a triumph. He recognized the profound implications of a few key observations. Experience Galileo's epiphany as he shares his excitement in his short treatise Starry Messenger.
The 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). The year celebrates the human achievement of understanding, in part, the seemingly unfathomable--the vast realm of space and the fantastic stuff that fills it.
The US node of IYA2009 is planning 365 days of astronomy events to coincide with the global celebration. For details, see www.astronomy2009.us.
PBS Alert: In 2009, check the listings of your local PBS station for the broadcast of the two-part special 400 Years of the Telescope in your viewing area.
"Dark Skies are a Universal Resource"
The grandeur of a night sky emblazoned with stars has been a central part of our heritage for millennia. Nearly every culture has a history encoded in skylore, a record kept in stories of the stars. Today the balance between day and night is at risk as errant and excessive outdoor lighting challenges our nighttime view.
Dark Skies Awareness is one of the Global IYA2009 Cornerstone Projects. Concurrently, a theme of the US IYA2009 program is "Dark Skies are a Universal Resource," a recognition that all people--not just astronomers--have much to gain from dark skies.
A significant community project and resource for dark sky advocates is at www.LetThereBeNight.com. For more dark-sky projects and issues, see www.nightwise.org.
So What's the Fuss About Galileo?
To get insight into the mind and brilliance of Galileo, peruse these videos, simulations, and explorations from the Institute and Museum of the History of Science:
Jovilabe
Venus and anagram
Milky Way
Heights of lunar mountains
Helioscope
Galileo's micrometer
Celatone tub
Saturn's rings
Telescope Simulation
Parts of telescope game
Who Invented the Telescope?
See the IMSS's exhibit Galileo's Telescope. The Instrument that Changed the World for more historical background. The text of the entire IMSS exhibit is at http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/esplora/cannocchiale/dswmedia/risorse/complete_texts.pdf.
More depictions of Galileo's key observations are at www.lettherebenight.com/galileo.html.
Version: 1.0 (December 5, 2007)
