Astro2110 – The Solar System

Galileo is the astronomer most responsible for toppling the geocentric theory of the universe with his scientific observations. Galileo used a telescope to prove that there were visible sunspots on the sun and craters on the moon, arguing that if these surfaces were imperfect then their orbits could be as well. He also discovered that the stars that his predecessor Tycho had observed were much further away from the Earth than Tycho had realized, so there must be a stellar parallax. In addition, he saw four moons orbiting Jupiter, clearly demonstrating the possibility of planets such as Earth orbiting something and having moons orbit around them at the same time. It was Galileo who finally put the nail in the coffin on the idea that the Earth is not like other planets, in that the old heliocentric theory supported by Aristotelian knowledge put all planets and other celestial objects orbiting in eternal perfect circles around the Earth, just as the heavens so desired. He had used his telescope to undermine the perfection of the heavens as seen through the Aristotelian cosmos, and the Church would have to dig in. Galileo’s Life & Discoveries.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, an attack that reached a death toll of nearly 3,000. These attacks launched a pivot in geopolitics, as the United States and its allies turned to a new front, the War on Terror, which would legitimize invasions of sovereign nations and often place military defense expenses at higher priority than domestic issues. Here are some ways in which 9/11 altered American foreign policy.

In late April of 2010, British Petroleum (BP) accidentally discharged 4.9 million barrels of toxic oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Maritime ecosystems were ravaged by what became the worst oil spill in history, as maritime life died in record numbers for several years after the spill. The oil spill killed eleven people, and BP was found responsible for the spill on gross negligence and reckless conduct, and was forced to pay $18.7 billion in fines. When I would go to beaches in Galveston, near Houston, Texas, the effects of such enormous pollution on the water was noticeable for several years. This news seemed to happen in my backyard!

William Shakespeare was born the same year as Galileo, on April 23 1564. Shakespeare is the undisputed greatest writer in the history of the English language.  He wrote an extensive amount of plays which continue to be read and taught centuries later, including Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  and Julius Caesar, just to name a few. Shakespeare is commonly referred to in literary realms as having written the style of drama which most entertainment even today seeks to emulate. 4 centuries later, he still sits on the throne.

This helped me realize that singular events are capable of drastically altering the course of history if they are given enough attention. It also showed me that while some events, such as the BP Oil Spill, can make headlines and literally change the planet, the world keeps on spinning and people continue going about the many aspects of their lives.

Galileo Galilei was born in 1564 and he died in 1642.

It’s crazy to think that history that appear to be in completely different contexts actually occurred at the same time. For example, during Galileo’s lifetime while he was revolutionizing asttronomy, Miguel de Cervantes was revolutionizing literature. His publication of Don Quijote de la Mancha was considered the first modern novel. While being the basis for the word quixotic while also being the most well known spanish novel, Miguel de Cervantes made history with his two part novel published in 1605 and 1615.

In addition, the colonization of Boston was underway in 1630. The Puritans and the John Winthrop came over from England and claimed their “holy commonwealth”. This colonization not only solidified the Puritan presence in the Massachusetts area, but Boston became a huge historical city in the United State’s fight for independence.  Yet somehow, the beginning of its history began in 1630, more than 130 years before the US even claimed their independence. Who would have thought that such big events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Marathon bombing would occur in a play founded by Puritans. So much has happened in that city over the course of its existence, the beginning of which began during Galileo’s lifetime.

A very important historical figure who lived at the same is William Shakespeare. These men were born in the same year, and Shakespeare died in 1616. This is significant because both of these men had such great contributions to today’s society. Galileo revolutionized the study of astronomy because of proving the heliocentric theory for the universe while Shakespeare is a global icon in the world of literature. Although in two different worlds of academia, both men revolutionized the way that future generations have and will forever study literature and astronomy. Every child (at least in the United States curriculum) learns that Galileo discovered the sun was at the universe while almost every student will read at least one of Shakespeare’s plays at some point during their academic career.