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The Genius of Galileo 天文奇才伽利略

课文朗读

课文讲解

Few men have played a more important role in modern science than Galileo Galilei. Born in Pisa, Italy in 1564, Galileo studied medicine, but switched to mathematics and natural philosophy. During his lifetime he invented or improved a number of scientific devices, including the telescope.

很少人能够在现代科学扮演比伽利略更重要的角色。在1564年生于意大利比萨的伽利略，起初研读医学，但之后转向数学和自然哲学。他的一生中发明或改良许多科学仪器，其中包括望远镜。

Galileo used the telescope to make many ground-breaking discoveries. For one thing, he was able to prove that the Milky Way is made up of many stars. For another, he was the first European to observe sunspots, and explain exactly what they are. However, it was his views on the Earth and the sun that got him into hot water.

伽利略使用望远镜做出许多有重大突破的发现。其中之一是他能证明银河是由许多星辰组成；另一项则是：他是首位观察到太阳黑子、并确切解释黑子为何物的欧洲人。然而，正是他对地球和太阳的看法让他惹祸上身。

Based on the data of observations, Galileo supported the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun. Nevertheless, the Christian Church at the time believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. Galileo was put on trial and forced to retract his theory in 1634. He was placed under house arrest for the remainder of his life, though he continued to write and study.

基于他所观察到的资料，伽利略证实地球围绕太阳转动的理论。但是当时的教会相信地球是宇宙的中心。伽利略在1634年接受审判并被迫撤回他的理论。他的余生都遭受到软禁，但他仍持续写作和研究。

单词发音

Vocabulary

philosophy [fəˋlɑsəfɪ] n. 哲学

Philosophy teachers try to explain the meaning of life.

device [dɪˋvaɪs] n. 设备，仪器

My kitchen has a device that washes and dries our dirty dishes.

telescope [ˋtɛlə͵skop] n.（单筒）望远镜

If you look through a telescope, you can see the mountains in the distance.

observation [͵ɑbzɝˋveʃən] n. 观察；观测

observe v. 观察

After a minute of observation, the doctor told the patient what the problem was.

revolve [rɪˋvɑlv] v. 绕着转; 旋转

(revolve-revolved-revolved)

The Earth revolves around the sun every 365 days.

universe [ˋjunə͵vɝs] n.（常大写）宇宙

Nobody really knows exactly how large the universe is.

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ground-breaking 开拓性的，独创的

For one thing.... For another  一则.... 再则....

sunspot [ˋsʌn͵spɑt] n. 太阳黑子

got into hot water 惹来麻烦或羞辱

retract [rɪˋtrækt] v. 撤回，收回（声明，诺言等）

house arrest 软禁

remainder [rɪˋmendɚ] n. 剩余的部分

课文朗读

课文讲解

Galileo’s work has influenced many other scientists, including Newton, Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. Thanks to his observations, we all recognize that the Earth moves around the sun. He also made immense contributions to physics, and was one of the first to utilize mathematics to understand how the universe works.

伽利略的著作影响许多其他的科学家，包含牛顿、爱因斯坦，和史蒂芬．霍金。由于他的观察，我们都认知到地球围绕太阳移动。他也对物理学做出巨大贡献，并且首先运用数学理解宇宙运行法则的人士之一。

Equally important was his use of a proper scientific method. Galileo’s father was a talented musician, and taught him to experiment with things in order to understand them. Galileo always carried out experiments, and supported his theories with proof. In one, he was said to have dropped two balls of different weights from Pisa’s renowned Leaning Tower to prove that they would fall at the same speed.

同样重要的是他使用适当的科学方法。伽利略的父亲是位有天份的音乐家，他教导伽利略去做实验以了解事物。伽利略总是进行实验，并用证据支持他的理论。在某项实验中，据说他从著名的比塞塔上丢下两个不同重量的球来证明它们会以相同速度坠落。

Galileo also believed in the importance of questioning established beliefs. He said, “In the question of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.” For any young scientist, there can be few better role models.

伽利略也相信对于既定信念须保持质疑的重要性。他说过：「在科学的问题上，一千个人所引用的权威说法，比不上一个人谦逊的推论。」对任何年轻的科学家而言，很少有比伽利略更好的典范。

－by Pat Woods

单词发音

Vocabulary

immense [ɪˋmɛns] adj. 巨大的；广大的

The elephant is an immense animal that can knock trees down.

proper [ˋprɑpɚ] adj. 正确的; 合适的

A suit is the proper clothing for a man at a formal party.

proof [pruf] n. 证据

The police found proof that the man was guilty of the crime.

established [əsˋtæblɪʃt] adj. 已确立的；已制定的

establish v. 确立; 制定

At every school, there are established rules which students must follow.

authority [əˋθɔrətɪ] n. 权威，影响力

Presidents have the authority to make deals with other countries.

individual [͵ɪndəˋvɪdʒʊəl] n. 个人；个体

Every individual can improve by working hard every day.

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thanks to 由于; 托...福; 幸亏

utilize [ˋjut!͵aɪz] v. 利用

renowned [rɪˋnaʊnd] adj. 有名望的﹐著名的