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1609年伽利略把望遠鏡指向天空，發現了4顆繞木星運行的衛星，從此改變了人類的宇宙觀，亦為天文探究增添一種不可缺少的工具。天文學家一般統稱這4顆木星最大的衛星為伽利略衛星。現代的雙筒或觀鳥望遠鏡在製作上，比伽利略的望遠鏡更為精密，配合三腳架作固定，便可以讓你親身經歷伽利略發現木星衛星的感覺。由現時至11月初，只要你在傍晚入黑後望向南面低空，最光亮的一顆星就是木星，木星旁的小光點就是衛星。基於伽利略對科學研究的嚴謹思維，著名物理學家愛因斯坦以及當代天體物理學家霍金均譽他為現代科學之父。為紀念伽利略開創天文研究新方法400周年，聯合國已訂定2009年為「國際天文年」。
The first astronomical discoveries through the telescope.
In 1609, Galileo Galilei pointed his telescope to the night sky and changed mankind's concept of the universe forever. His most well known discoveries with his telescope were Jupiter's four big moons. We now call these four moons the Galilean satellites. From now till mid November, you can re-experience the discovery of the Galilean satellites using just a pair of binoculars or a sporting scope. Look south after dusk and you will see Jupiter as the brightest star in the sky. The satellites will appear as tiny points of light near Jupiter. The science community honors Galileo as the father of modern science. In memory of the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observations with a telescope, the United Nations has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. ■甄枝強 資深天文愛好者
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