Galileo Galilei was an influential Italian scientist during the 16th and 17th centuries. He made many important contributions to the fields of physics, astronomy, and science through his improvements to the telescope and astronomical observations. Some of his key discoveries include the phases of Venus, Jupiter's four largest moons, and sunspots. However, Galileo faced opposition from the Catholic Church for his support of Copernicanism and the theory that the Earth revolved around the sun. He was tried by the Inquisition, found vehemently suspect of heresy, and spent the last years of his life under house arrest, where he died in 1642. Though punished for his scientific findings, Galileo's work greatly advanced the scientific revolution