In the first part of a three episode series on the emerging conflict involving Galileo Galilei, the Aristotelian natural philosophers of the Italian universities and the Catholic Church, we examine the factors that would lead to the initial confrontation of 1615 and 1616. These will include a debate that led to a fundamental revaluation of hydrology and a priority dispute on the discovery of sunspots. Finally, we discuss the piece of information that may have led to Galileo's open support of the Copernican model of the solar system.
Faceplate on Galileo's Letters on Sunspots published by the Lincean Academy
Drawing by Galileo of Sunspot Groups
Horizon Image of Sun with Sunspot Groups Image Credit: Alto, New Mexico; March 7, 2012; photo by David Tremblay; captured at 560mm with a Canon MKlll ESO1D
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