On January 14, 1642, the trial of Galileo Galilei commenced in Rome due to his advocacy for heliocentrism, the belief that the Earth orbits the Sun. His support for this theory contradicted church teachings at the time, leading to significant controversy.

Galileo had previously been a highly respected scientist and astronomer. Notably, he faced opposition from various church officials, facing charges of heresy for promoting beliefs that were inconsistent with the Church's interpretation of the scriptures.

Galileo’s trial resulted in a conviction that saw him placed under house arrest for the remainder of his life. His work laid the foundation for modern physics and astronomy, ultimately leading to a shift in scientific thought during the Enlightenment.

An interesting aspect of this historical event is that despite his imprisonment, Galileo continued to work on scientific theories, including studying motion and the properties of pendulums. His trial is often seen as a pivotal moment in the conflict between religion and science.

What’s a scientific belief or idea that you think changed the world?