Galileo was a natural philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who made fundamental contributions to the sciences of motion, astronomy, and strength of materials and to the development of the scientific method. He also made revolutionary telescopic discoveries, including the four largest moons of Jupiter.In 1610 Galileo discovered the four biggest moons of Jupiter (now called the Galilean moons) and the rings of SaturnGalileo influenced scientists for many decades after his death, not least in his willingness to stand up to authority—in this case, the Roman Catholic Church—to defend his findings. His improvements to the telescope led to advances in the field of astronomy. Sir Isaac Newton later expanded on Galileo's work when coming up with his own theories.No, the Roman Catholic Church did not execute or torture Galileo. For his heresy in claiming that Earth orbits the Sun, the church sentenced him to life imprisonment in 1633. Galileo served his sentence under house arrest and died at home in 1642 after an illness.No, the Roman Catholic Church did not execute or torture Galileo. For his heresy in claiming that Earth orbits the Sun, the church sentenced him to life imprisonment in 1633. Galileo served his sentence under house arrest and died at home in 1642 after an illness.