Galileo Galilei (Italian pronunciation: [ɡaliˈlɛːo ɡaliˈlɛːi]; 15 February 1564[3] – 8 January 1642), was an Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician[4] who played a major role in the scientific revolution during the Renaissance. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for heliocentrism. Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational astronomy",[5] the "father of modern physics",[6][7] and the "father of modern science".[8]