The exhibition Galileo, Images of the Universe from Ancient Times to the Telescope, is on show at Palazzo Strozzi, Florence until the 30 th August.

The exhibition honours the 400 th anniversary of the great Italian scientists first discoveries of the universe with the telescope he invented, using a combination of refracting lenses that were much more powerful than the ordinary spy glasses used up till then. Galileo studied the surface of the moon, sun spots and the phases of the planet Venus. He also discovered four moons revolving round Jupiter, which are known as the Galilean moons after him.

The exhibition is recommended for the entire family and covers the history of astronomical discoveries, from the observations of the Ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the knowledge of the Arabs, the theories of Copernicus and Kepler, right up to Newton and the modern concept of the Universe.

For information: www.palazzostrozzi.org