[P]ingcognito

It Happened on
September 22, 1632

"Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems," was written in the form of a dialogue between three characters: Salviati, Sagredo, and Simplicio. While Galileo used this format to present different viewpoints on the heliocentric model of the solar system, with Salviati advocating for Copernicanism and Simplicio representing the geocentric view, the choice of names held deeper significance. Simplicio's character, who often defended the traditional Earth-centered cosmology, was seen by some as a thinly veiled caricature of Pope Urban VIII, who had initially supported Galileo's work. This subtle criticism and the confrontational style of the book likely contributed to Galileo's subsequent trial and condemnation by the Catholic Church for heresy, making "Dialogue" a pivotal episode in the history of the conflict between science and religion.

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It Happened on
November 04, 1680

C/1680 V1, also called the Great Comet of 1680, Kirch's Comet, and Newton's Comet, was the first comet discovered by telescope. It was discovered by Gottfried Kirch and was one of the brightest comets of the seventeenth century. While the Kirch Comet of 1680–1681 was discovered by—and subsequently named for—Gottfried Kirch, credit must also be given to Eusebio Kino, the Spanish Jesuit priest who charted the comet’s course.

9 months later is born

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