Galileo Galilei, the renowned Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, died on January 8, 1642, at the age of 77. His death was attributed to natural causes, specifically heart palpitations and a fever that plagued him in the months leading up to his death.
In his later years, Galileo became blind, which significantly impacted his ability to work. Despite his declining health, he remained intellectually active and continued to engage with scientific inquiries. His death occurred in Arcetri, near Florence, where he spent his last years under house arrest due to the conflict with the Catholic Church regarding his support for heliocentrism—the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Although his life ended in relative seclusion, Galileo’s legacy as a pioneer of modern science and his challenges against dogmatic beliefs continue to resonate through the centuries.