Giovanni Riccioli

Giovanni Riccioli was a 17th-century Italian scientist and Jesuit priest known for his work in astronomy and physics. He is best recognized for accurately mapping the moon’s surface features and for developing a detailed lunar map. Riccioli also proposed a system to classify stars based on brightness and contributed to understanding planetary motions. His most influential work, *Almagestum Novum*, synthesized existing astronomical knowledge and supported the Copernican heliocentric model, fostering scientific debate. His research helped advance the understanding of celestial movements during a pivotal era in astronomy.