2019-02-15 Fri

Galileo Galilei, an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher was born on 15th February 1564.

His contributions to observational astronomy include the telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus, the discovery of the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honour), and the observation and analysis of sunspots. Galileo also worked in applied science and technology, inventing an improved military compass and other instruments.

Galileo has been called the “father of modern observational astronomy”, the “father of modern physics”, the “father of science”, and “the Father of Modern Science”.

In 2014 Italian Post issued a stamp commemorating Galileo Galilei on the 450th anniversary of his birth anniversary. The stamp shows the statue of Galileo Galilei sculpted by Aristodemo Costoli, on display in the Courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Galileo features on stamps of many countries like Kazakhstan, Ukraine, USSR, Hungary, Indonesia, Paraguay, and Lithuania. Galileo also appears on 2000 Lire banknote of the bank of Italy.

Italy has also issued 2 Euro commemorative coins featuring on the obverse the portrait of Galileo along with several of Galileo’s inventions. One such coin features the portrait of Galileo along with the telescope with celestial lens.

Cook Islands have issued a 10 dollar silver commemorative coin of 56 grams symbolizing his discovery of lunar mountains and craters on the moon's surface by applying a natural moonstone in the coin.

Image Courtcey: Google images