The System of Saturn

the globe of Saturn with this globe of ours, a kinship which those skilled in Astronomy will find in the similar inclination of the axes of both Huygens correctly observed that Saturn has an axial tilt similar to Earth's. This tilt is what causes the rings to appear at different angles from Earth over a 29-year cycle.. Indeed, when I reflect on these things, it seems impossible that any age should be able to erase the truth so successfully discovered in these matters, supported by such manifest evidence, as long as some memory of Galileo’s observations Galileo Galilei first observed Saturn’s "appendages" in 1610, though his telescope was not powerful enough to identify them as rings. or our own remains.

Therefore, so that I might rescue these findings from oblivion, and so that—should the instruments original: "organis" — referring to telescopes. High-quality glass lenses were difficult to produce and maintain in the 17th century. by which they may be repeated perhaps fail one day—there might still be a means by which it could be proven that they once existed, I decided that they should be published in this writing, such as it is, and shared with all.

That I have inscribed this commentary to Your Highness Prince Leopold de' Medici (1617–1675), a prominent patron of science and co-founder of the Accademia del Cimento., I have done for more than one reason. For, first of all, I believed no small fame and brilliance could be acquired for this work from your most Illustrious name; for throughout the entire world, wherever any virtue...