If you could see the earth illuminated when you were in a place as… — Galileo Galilei · Smartyfair

If you could see the earth illuminated when you were in a place as dark as night, it would look to you more splendid than the moon.

Galileo Galilei1564–1642 · scientist · 1500s-1600s ItalyGalileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer and physicist, born in 1564 — the same year Michelangelo died — who built one of the first powerful telescopes and used it to discover moons orbiting Jupiter.5 quotes

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In plain words

Seen from somewhere dark, Earth would outshine the moon.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 85% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), on earthshine — Wikiquote Sourced under that work's own heading.
Sources checked: en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026Sourced section for the 1632 Dialogue

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More from Galileo Galilei

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Galileo Galilei

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