SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Galileo's Moon

Join experts as they examine an alleged proof copy of Galileo’s revolutionary “Sidereus Nuncius” on SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Galileo's Moon."

When it was published in 1610, Galileo’s “Sidereus Nuncius” (Starry Messenger) set in motion a scientific revolution. Using observations he made of both the earth’s moon and Jupiter’s moons, Galileo proved earth is not the center of the universe.

Five hundred and fifty copies of the original treatise were originally printed and roughly 150 are known to exist today.

When an original copy with Galileo’s signature and seemingly original watercolor paintings of the phases of the moon believed to be done by Galileo himself came on the market in 2005, “Sidereus Nuncius” caused a worldwide sensation 400 years after its creation… and again in 2012 when it was proved a fake.

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Galileo Galilei

Courtesy of PBS

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Galileo’s sketches of the moon.

Courtesy of PBS

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Galileo’s sketch of the moon from “Sidereus Nuncius.”

Courtesy of PBS

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An example of a negative that could be used to create a photopolymer plate like the one used to forge Galileo’s “Sidereus Nuncius.”

Courtesy of Copyright PO François and M. Pansard

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Historian Nick Wilding at the National Central Library of Florence in Florence, Italy.

Courtesy of PBS

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Professor Horst Bredekamp

Courtesy of Copyright PO François and M. Pansard

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Massimo De Caro

Courtesy of PBS

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