Contrary to popular belief, Galileo did not invent the telescope. A Dutch lens grinder secured a patent in 1608 for a device that magnified distant objects by combining two lenses. The instrument was originally used for terrestrial purposes. Galileo was intrigued. He built a telescope of his own with a magnifying power of about forty. On August 25th, 1609, he presented his invention to the Venetian Senate, which received tremendous success. This accomplishment helped him obtain a lifelong contract at the University of Padua. Galileo used the telescope to further his knowledge of the sky. He was the first person to record observations of the sky that were made with a
Contrary to popular belief, Galileo did not invent the telescope. A Dutch lens grinder secured a patent in 1608 for a device that magnified distant objects by combining two lenses. The instrument was originally used for terrestrial purposes. Galileo was intrigued. He built a telescope of his own with a magnifying power of about forty. On August 25th, 1609, he presented his invention to the Venetian Senate, which received tremendous success. This accomplishment helped him obtain a lifelong contract at the University of Padua. Galileo used the telescope to further his knowledge of the sky. He was the first person to record observations of the sky that were made with a