March 1, 1633
My Dear Colleague:
As you know, there has been much controversy concerning my views about the movement in the skies. Most problematic has been my beliefs concerning the movement of the earth around the sun. Over the years, this has caused a huge stir in Rome since my radical findings are in direct opposition to the churches' stance that the sun rotates around a stationary earth.
How well I remember that night in 1609 when I first observed the moon through my telescope. What I saw caused me to be almost giddy with excitement! Then on January 7, 1610, when I actually saw three bright stars near Jupiter I knew I had made an exceptional discovery! Six days later I spied a fourth star and within a week it became clear to me that these bright stars were actually Jupiter's satellites. I hurriedly reported my findings in the form of a book I called Sidereus Nucius, or Starry Messenger and proudly distributed the book to all who would read it. I had no idea my findings would cause such difficulties between me and my beloved Church.
In 1612 I began to encounter serious opposition to my theory of the motion of the earth and in 1616 I learned that the Church had declared my work "philosophically false and at least an erroneous belief." Not only did those in Rome disagree with me, they were prepared to brand me as being a heretic. Over the next twenty years my teachings continued to be an irritant for the Church and today I find myself being summoned to Rome to stand before the inquisition as a heretic of the Church.
I desperately need expertise from those of you who live and study in the 21st century. I have therefore summoned you back to 1633 to help with my trial defense. Using what you have learned concerning day and night, seasons, time, constellations and shadows, I need you to work with my defense council to create a powerful, convincing defense for me. Without you, I fear I shall be punished and with you, I believe we have a chance to reshape history!
Your humble servant:
Galileo Galilei, Italy
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