Secrets of the Dead - Season 18 - Eps 1: Galileo's Moon
When it was published in 1610, Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius (Starry Messenger) set in motion a scientific revolution. Using observations he made of both the earth’s moon and Jupiter’s moons, Galileo proved earth is not the center of the universe. Five hundred and fifty copies of the original treatise were originally printed and roughly 150 are known to exist today. When an original copy with Galileo’s signature and seemingly original watercolor paintings of the phases of the moon believed to be done by Galileo himself came on the market in 2005, Sidereus Nuncius caused a worldwide sensation 400 years after its creation… and again in 2012 when it was proved a fake.
About Secrets of the Dead

Title: Secrets of the Dead
First Air Date: 2000-05-15
Last Air Date: 2025-02-26
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 6.3/10 (from 20 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 23
Total Episodes: 115
Network: PBS
Genres: Documentary, Mystery
Production Companies: Thirteen
Synopsis
Part detective story, part true-life drama, long-running series explores some of the most iconic moments in history to debunk myths and shed new light on past events. Using the latest investigative techniques, forensic science and historical examination, it shatters accepted wisdom, challenges prevailing ideas, overturns existing hypotheses, spotlights forgotten mysteries, and ultimately rewrites history.