mckaywest11e

Quiz for Primary Source 16.1: Galileo Galilei, The Sidereal Messenger

Question

1. What technological innovation was essential to Galileo’s discovery?

The astrolabe

The printing press

The telescope

The compass

Correct. The answer is c. Galileo’s account of the moon began with a discussion of improvements he made on a Dutch telescope design.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Galileo’s account of the moon began with a discussion of improvements he made on a Dutch telescope design.

Question

2. According to medieval cosmography, which of these is true?

The sun is at the center of the universe.

The moon is a perfect, unblemished sphere.

The sun and moon are equal distance from the earth.

The stars are in constant motion.

Correct. The answer is b. Medieval cosmology contrasted heavenly perfection with earthly perfection. Galileo’s discovery of the irregularity of the moon’s surface challenged this basic assumption.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Medieval cosmology contrasted heavenly perfection with earthly perfection. Galileo’s discovery of the irregularity of the moon’s surface challenged this basic assumption.