Galileo's objective lens

Galileo's objective lens.

Galileo's objective lens refers specifically to the actual objective lens used by Galileo Galilei in the Galilean telescope with which he discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter in 1610. The lens has a diameter of 38mm and a gilt brass housing. The frame is made of ebony and ivory and has dimensions of 410mm x 300mm. [1]

History

Galileo was the first to observe Jupiter's moons, which he called the "Medicean planets", announcing his discovery in Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger), published in Venice the same year. Galileo donated the lens of the telescope with which he made the discovery to Grand Duke Cosimo II. At a later date, the lens was accidentally cracked. After Galileo's death (1642) the lens passed to Prince (later Cardinal) Leopold de' Medici. When Leopold died (1675), the lens was added to the Medici collection in the Uffizi Gallery. The collection remained there until 1793, when it was transferred to the Museo di Fisica e Storia Naturale. In the mid-nineteenth century, the lens was displayed in the Tribuna di Galileo with other Galilean memorabilia. It currently resides in the Museo Galileo in Florence.[1]

Frame

In 1677, the Medici commissioned Vittorio Crosten to build the ebony and ivory frame in which the lens has since been preserved. The frame is carved with floral motifs, images of scientific instruments and Latin inscriptions commemorating Galileo's achievements and his connection to the Medici family. A cartouche is inscribed "COELUM LINCEAE GALILEI MENTI APERTUM VITREA PRIMA HAC MOLE NONDUM VISA OSTENDIT SYDERA MEDICEA IURE AB INVENTORE DICTA SAPIENS NEMPE DOMINATUR ET ASTRIS" (The sky opened by the lynx-like thought of Galileo with this first glass lens showed stars never seen before, rightly called Medicean by their discoverer. The wise man indeed dominates the stars as well). Below the cartouche appears "VC," the initials of the engraver.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Galileo's objective lens". museogalileo.it. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Frame for Galileo's lens". museogalileo.it. Retrieved 18 November 2016.

Bibliography

van Helden, Albert, ed. (1999). Catalogue of early telescopes (in ita). Firenze: Giunti. p. 32, board n. 3. ISBN 88-09-21680-6. 

Mara Miniati, ed. (1991). Museo di storia della scienza: catalogo (in ita). Firenze: Giunti. p. 60, boards n. 31. ISBN 88-09-20036-5. 

External links

Museo Galileo

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