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| Paper: |
Galileo and the Supernova of 1604 |
| Volume: |
342, 1604-2004: Supernovae as Cosmological Lighthouses |
| Page: |
13 |
| Authors: |
Shea, W. |
| Abstract: |
The supernova of 1604 was observed in Padua on 10 October 1604 but on account of cloudy weather Galileo did not see it until a few days later. The supernova created great excitement and Galileo, who taught mathematics and astronomy at the University, was asked to give three public lectures that were attended by a large audience. In this paper we show how Galileo explained the nature of parallax in order to demonstrate that the new star was well beyond the Moon. We also consider his attempt to determine the nature of the star, and the amusing pamphlet that he penned to lampoon professional philosophers who denied that new stars could appear in the heavens. |
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