Copernicus

I found the reading from Copernicus on the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies really interesting. This was a way to get into Nicholas' head and see how he came up with his theories on the earth being round, its rotation and how it was not the center of the earth. We have known all our lives that the earth was round, how it rotated on its own axis and that the sun is the center of the Universe (Well actually galaxy if you want to get technical). What Copernicus was saying was new, cutting edge science during his time. It was amazing to read this excerpt on his thoughts and how he came up with these ideas. It was pretty much just simple observations on what was really moving and what was not. I just think it's really cool to read something in a first hand perspective that we have known to be truth and fact our whole lives.

Renaissance and Galileo

I have always loved the Renaissance era and I'm not really sure why, it has just always been my favorite. I also have a huge weakness for the artwork during that time. So of course my favorite reading this week was that of the Renaissance. It is always interesting to hear the stories told behind certain pieces of art or of architecture. The external links provided this week to Nicholas Pioch's Web Museum was amazing. I have taken several Art History classes but I learned a few new things with this link.

Also, I found the reading on Galileo interesting. I had know idea the man was accused of heresy for saying that the sun was the center of the universe and the earth was not and it in fact moved and not the sun. He was accused because what he was saying "was contrary to Holy Scriptures". The part that really saddened me was that Galileo went against what he wrote in his book and told the Inquisitors he was wrong and would not repeat his mistake. I can understand why he did it though. No one was going to believe him, and there wasn't a way to prove his theory just yet.