WUSTL physics professors will explore the genius of Galileo during the Saturday Science seminar series, sponsored by the De-partment of Physics and Uni-versity College in Arts & Sciences.
Born in 1564, Galileo Galilei was the first to understand the role of controlled experiments in science. His methods of reasoning represent a sharp break from those of earlier scientists. Among Galileo’s great interests were mechanics — the science of motion — and astronomy.
Galileo’s acute observations and inventive interpretation provided major support for Coper-nicus’ model of the solar system. It also undermined the Catholic Church’s authority to impose its own theory and created an historic confrontation between Galileo and the Catholic Church.
The popular Saturday Science seminar series is in its 17th year. The 2009 lectures begin Saturday, March 21. They are free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
Presentations begin at 10 a.m. and will take place in Crow Hall, Room 201. The schedule:
• March 21. Michael Friedlander, Ph.D., professor of physics and series organizer, will present “The Scientific Back-ground.”
• March 28. Patrick Gibbons, Ph.D., professor of physics, will discuss “Galileo’s Astronomical Discoveries.”
• April 4. John S. Rigden, Ph.D., adjunct professor of physics, will present “Galileo, A Founder of Modern Physics.”
• April 18. Friedlander will speak about “Galileo’s Trial.”
For more information, call 935-6276.