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Citation

Alternate Title(s): Rosa Ursina
Author: Christoph Scheiner
Publication Location: Bracciani
Year: 1630

Item Location

Exhibit: Space Science after Galileo
Section: Sun

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Summary

Scheiner, a Jesuit astronomer, eventually published the definitive work of the 17th century on sunspots, in which he accepted Galileo’s argument that sunspots “move like ships” on the surface of the Sun. Scheiner and Galileo agreed that sunspots counted against the Aristotelian doctrine of celestial incorruptibility. Earlier Jesuits had been open on this point. Clavius argued for the corruptibility of the heavens after the nova of 1572. Scheiner here publicized the fact that the Jesuit theologian Robert Bellarmine had argued for the igneous nature of the stars and the corruptibility of the heavens even before 1572 on the basis of biblical exegesis and the tradition of the Church Fathers. Cardinal Orsini paid for the printing of this lavish work.

Related Items

Theme(s): Astronomy, Religious Studies, Philosophy
Chronological Period: 17th century
Geographical Region(s): Europe, Germany, Rome
Resource Type: Book