What did Galileo resolve the Milky Way to be, contrary to the previous description of it as a cloud?
Answer
An immense, uncountable number of individual stars
Through magnification, Galileo demonstrated that the Milky Way was not a nebulous cloud but rather consisted of countless stars packed too densely for the naked eye to resolve.
Related Questions
What is considered Galileo's very first significant observation made with his improved telescope that contradicted established cosmology?Which group is generally credited with inventing the original telescope device around 1608?How much greater was the magnification Galileo achieved compared to the initial power of the original Dutch spyglasses?What was the Aristotelian expectation regarding the surface of the Moon before Galileo observed it?What fundamental concept about celestial motion did Galileo disprove by observing objects orbiting Jupiter?What did Galileo name the four distinct, moving companions he observed orbiting Jupiter?In which short treatise did Galileo publish his revolutionary findings regarding Jupiter's satellites in 1610?Galileo's observation that Venus exhibited a full cycle of phases was only possible if Venus orbited which body?What did Galileo resolve the Milky Way to be, contrary to the previous description of it as a cloud?What is described as arguably Galileo's most enduring 'first discovery' regarding scientific method?