Roger Hahn talking about Galileo on July 18th

Roger Hahn, UC Berkeley historian of science and our keynote speaker for the Astronomy program on Oct. 2nd, is delivering a talk on "A Troublesome Pioneer: Galileo Galilei" (July 18th, 11:00-12:00, at the Genetics and Plant Biology Building, Room 100 on the Berkeley campus).

"Galileo revolutionized astronomy by turning his telescope to the heavens in 1609. The full story of his achievements is replete with complications that make it difficult for modern man to realize how troublesome his discoveries were in his own times. Many of them stem from Galileo's personality which was calculated to upset the established order; others from the changes his pioneering work forced upon traditional astronomers, and more especially upon the Catholic Church. 400 years later we picture him as a critical link in the progress of our understanding; but in his own times he was soundly criticized and properly condemned."

This talk is part of a monthly series of talks sponsored by the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. The talks take place on the third Saturday of every month at 11:00-12:00, and are open to the public and free of charge. Videos of previous talks as well as logistical details and maps are available at the web site for this program series.