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Heavens above, Galileo was beaten by a Londoner
Paul Sutherland and Mark Prigg05.01.09
HE is credited as the man who first used a telescope to study the heavens.
But as celebrations begin for the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's achievements, it has emerged that the Tuscan may have been beaten to the first such views of the universe by a Londoner. Experts say Thomas Harriot started sketching the moon on 26July 1609 - at least four months before Galileo - from his base in the grounds of Syon House, Isleworth. Today astronomers led by Sky At Night presenter Sir Patrick Moore called for Harriot to be credited as the father of modern astronomy.
"Harriot's observations of the moon are the earliest records we have of a telescope used in astronomy," said Sir Patrick. "His lunar map was far better than Galileo's, so his telescope must have been better too. Harriot kept his head down and stayed out of the public eye - he was very wise! He just wanted a nice quiet life."
Science historian Dr Allan Chapman, of Oxford University, said Galileo "had an incredible genius for grabbing the media".
Dutch spectacle-maker Hans Lippershey invented the telescope, or troncke, in 1608.
Reader views (2)
@ Dr Dyson. Thanks for your comments. There really is no doubt that Harriot was first. You can read a fuller interview with Dr Chapman on my Skymania blog.
- Paul Sutherland, London, UK
I'm most intrigued about this news item; including the comment from Dr Allan Chapman, whose lectures on the history of science I've found to be deeply inspiring! The current exhibition @ Oxford University's Museum of the History of Science, on "The English Telescope from Newton to Herschel", is well worth visiting by anyone who's interested in this...
- Dr I N Dyson, Oxford, GB
