Hi Folks,
   Galileo's observations and his little book, Sidereus Nunicus
(Star Messenger) actually dedicated the moons of Jupiter to
the Grand Duke Cosimo II de Medici.  Furthermore, he also
noted, than any further discoveries in the heavens belonged
to him.  Quite a BOLD proposition, and it helped trigger the 
hostitlity of the Catholic priests at the time.
   Actually, the end of Aristotlelian science came a few years
later (1618) with the publication of the "Third Law" [Harmonice
Mundi] by Kepler.
   Unfortunately, that discovery is overshadowed by the trial of
Galileo.
Best Wishes,
Lance 
Re: Arthur Koestler, The Sleepwalkers.