Scientific Documentation

Scientific research has always played an important role in the development of our world. Innumerable amounts of information have been spread through communities through a variety of sources. Scientists like Galileo Galilei and Edward Jenner took the approach of writing their discoveries, while others like William Wagner open their research to the public through museums. Not only is it important that this information is recorded, but also how it is recorded. Different factors affect how each scientist chooses to display their work affecting how it is interpreted. The way an individual perceives scientific research is totally dependent on how the scientist exhibits the information. Galileo Galilei was a professor of mathematics at the University of Pauda in Italy. (Van Helden 1) Only when the invention of the telescope came around did his scientific mind begin to spark. Galileo began to make adjustments and improvements to the machine that allowed the naked eye to see over thirty times the original model. His keen interest in this helped him discover things about the moon and our galaxy that were not yet understood; the surface of the moon, stars’ proximity to earth and the four moons that circle Jupiter. From all of this, “Sideruis Nuncius” or “The Starry Messenger” was born. (Van Helden, 13-24) The research for “The Starry Messenger” lasted briefly, starting in 1610 with the treatise being released in 1632. (24) Throughout his writing, Galileo seems to be succinct. It almost makes the reader question if all the information is there. The writing even ends with “Lack of time prevents me from proceeding further. The fair reader may expect more about these matters sooner.” (Galileo 86). This abrupt ending may catch the reader off guard for a moment, but for some reason it’s completely acceptable. During the time this was written, these discoveries were completely new and exciting, partially dealing with the fact that Galileo sought extensive approval from the

Cited: Galilei, Galileo. Siderius Nuncius. Trans. Albert Van Helden. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1989. Print. Jenner, Edward. Vaccination against Smallpox. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 1996. Print.