Astronomy Question on Sidereus Nunceus?

N

Neil

New member
In his measurements of the Medicean stars (satellites of Jupiter), Galileo noticed that they appeared larger and smaller through his telescope depending upon where they were in their orbits around Jupiter. What was his explanation for this observation? Was he correct?
 
I would have thought, that he observed them to be larger and smaller because of their orbit of Jupiter. And he was correct, as objects will seem smaller the farther they are. However some objects may be larger than closer ones, but will appear smaller because of their distance from the earth
 
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