Mechanical models, exhibits operated directly by the user and interactive touch screens illustrate the innovative intuitions and solutions through which Galileo introduced revolutionary new ideas in the architecture of the universe and the science of motion. His ideas also led to the creation of ingenious devices for transforming the primitive, mechanical clocks in use at the time into reliable instruments. Thanks to these innovative solutions, Galileo hoped to solve at last the crucial problem of determining longitude at sea.

To celebrate Galileo’s contribution to modern horology, Officine Panerai has offered fundamental support to the realisation of the interactive area. It has also constructed and donated to the Museo Galileo the Jupiterium, an exceptional planetary clock with a perpetual calendar, which shows the movements of Jupiter and its four satellites discovered by the Tuscan scientist. Standing at the centre of the second room, the Jupiterium shows with extreme precision the positions of the Moon, the Sun, Jupiter and the four Galilean satellites as seen by an observer on Earth, against a background of fixed stars.

“Thanks to its fruitful and longstanding partnership with Officine Panerai – stated Professor Paolo Galluzzi, Director of the Museo Galileo – the Museo Galileo has opened a new section, illustrating some of Galileo’s most outstanding achievements, through fascinating exhibits and interactive models. Achievements that not only revolutionised the structure of the universe and of motion, but also led to dramatic improvement in mechanical systems for measuring time, initiating the ongoing process of development that has continued up to the present day. The extraordinary mechanical complexity and absolute precision of the Jupiterium, designed and constructed by Officine Panerai and generously donated to the Museo Galileo, is an evocative example of the close bond between tradition and innovation. The Jupiterium is in fact the solution to what was one of Galileo’s dreams – that of using the motion of Jupiter’s satellites as a perfect planetary clock – pursued by him with extraordinary intelligence and admirable determination”.

MUSEO GALILEO – Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza

Piazza dei Giudici 1

50122 Firenze

Tel. +39 055 265311

Fax +39 055 2653130

[email protected]

www.museogalileo.it

Opening times

Open all through the week 9:30 am - 6:00 pm; Tuesdays 9:30 am - 1:00 pm.