Thetelescopewas invented in1608by Dutch spectacle-makerHans Lippershey, but it wasGalileo Galileiwho made it famous. By pointing his improved telescope toward the night sky,he discovered the moons of Jupiter and craters on the Moon!
Before telescopes, people believed theEarth was the center of the universe. With this new tool, scientists likeJohannes Kepler and Isaac Newtonunlockedthe secrets of the cosmos.
Today, telescopes—like theHubble Space Telescope—continue to revealnew planets, galaxies, and deep-space wonders, expanding our knowledge of the universe!