How did the observation of illuminated peaks contrasted with dark valleys help Galileo deduce lunar topography?
Answer
This phenomenon was analogous to the illumination of Earth's mountains during sunrise or sunset.
The pattern where high points catch light while low areas remain shadowed precisely mirrors how light interacts with mountains and valleys on Earth, strongly suggesting the Moon possessed similar features.
Related Questions
What was the prevailing view of the Moon's composition before Galileo's telescopic observations?When did Galileo begin his systematic telescopic observations of the Moon?What specific feature of the lunar shadow line led Galileo to conclude the Moon was rugged?How did the observation of illuminated peaks contrasted with dark valleys help Galileo deduce lunar topography?What mathematical technique did Galileo use to estimate the height of the lunar mountains?What was the philosophical implication of discovering mountains on the Moon?When were Galileo's initial telescopic findings about the Moon formally published?What compelling evidence regarding Venus's motion supported a Sun-centered orbital model?What did the discovery of Jupiter's four largest moons (Medicean Stars) immediately suggest about the structure of the cosmos?What lasting significance did the Moon observations hold for scientific methodology?