Tammy Plotner and Jeff Barber, Universe Today
Today in 1564 the father of astronomy was born - Galileo Galilei. 442 years ago. Galileo became the first scientist to use a telescope for astronomical purposes and the first to study the moon. His words "It is beautiful and awe-inspiring to see the luminous formations of the moon... multiplied by thirty kilometers - 900 times, anyone can understand that the moon is not covered with a smooth and uniform layer but reveals high mountain ledges, deep cavities and channels like those on Earth" are still true today.
Today the tiny crater named after him will be visible on the surface - but seeing it, even with the help of a telescope, will be a challenge. Look at the all lit western end. Almost in the center, trapped at the edge of Oceanus Procellarum, a small, bright ring will be visible. This is the Renye Crater. Galileo is a little northwest of a tiny crater that has almost disappeared. What a shame the cartographers didn't choose a much more impressive configuration to honor the great Galileo.
Galileo is known for making countless interesting discoveries, but did you know that he may have been the first astronomer to see the trapezoid in M42? Galileo included three of the four stars in a diagram based on a low-resolution (X27) mirror of the Great Nebula. Today we will celebrate this forgotten discovery. By using the smallest possible magnification and the smallest telescope you can see the trapezoid "through Galileo's eyes".
Project 365
UNIVERSE TODAY website
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