How did Galileo see a satellite orbiting Jupiter when none were in existence? ?

Question

I waz watching the history Channel about The universe and as the show progress it said that Galileo saw with his telescope that there were stars and a satellite Orbiting around Jupiter. Now if I'm clear I type satellite above. Galileo waz born February 15 1564 and died 356 years ago in 1642. The First satellite didn't launch until October 4, 1957 by the soviet Union. Now Tell Me this how did Galileo say he saw a satellite if there wasn't even a thought of one yet. unless a Alien Life form put one in orbit.

Answer 1

Will it be alright with you if 'satellites' are replaced with 'moons'? Anything revolving (including a piece of iron) is a satellite. But a naturally existing revolving thing is called Moon. Moon is a satellite. But all satellites are not moons.

Answer 2

Actually the Romans and the Chinese both launched a number of satellites.  But in the dark ages all that technology was lost.  A tragic shame.

Answer 3

Not all satellites are man made. There is artificial (man) and natural. Back in Galileo's day satellites were also known as moons.

Answer 4

The word satellite is a synonym for moon.  Galileo discovered four moons around Jupiter, which he wnted to name the Medicean stars for the Medici family.  This did not sit well with anyone outside the Medici realm.  A Jesuit astronomer suggested the names Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto from 4 of the better known of Jupiter's love affairs (note that he was bisexual).  The word satellite was adapted by Kepler, from a Greek word meaning hanger on or dependent.  

You are confusing satellite with artificial satellite.

Answer 5

satalite just means something orbiting another in space. it was a natural satalite, like an astroid or moon that was in jupiters gravity field

Answer 6

"I waz watching the history Channel"

well there is your problem right there..... 4 words for you son....

IO.Europa.Ganymede.Callisto

Answer 7

Of course they were in existence... he saw one of jupiter's moons.  A satellite is any object that orders another, not necessarily man-made.

Answer 8

Back in Galileo's day, moons and other objects in space were often called satellites. Even nowadays many scientists call moons satellites.  

Answer 9

A satellite just means anything in orbit.  The moon is a satellite of earth.

He saw Jupiters moons.