Newly discovered Galileo letter shows his attempt to trick the Inquisition

A centuries old letter by renowned seventeenth century thinker Galileo has been discovered and it reveals an effort to downplay his thoughts about an astronomical phenomenon so as not to conflict with the Catholic Church.

The journal Nature says Galileo had written the letter to fellow mathematician arguing that references in the Bible to astronomical events should not be taken literally.

Religious authorities who argued otherwise, he wrote, didn't have the competence to judge.

Perhaps more significantly, he expressed his support of the theory that the Earth orbiting the sun, not the other way around as the church and Bible did. A copy of this letter made its way to Rome and fearing punishment by the Inquisition.

Galileo claimed the initial letter had been doctored and he instead sent another copy with softer language. For example, the Nature report says he changed his reference to the scriptures quotes 'concealing its most basic dogmas'.

The recently discovered letter dated December 21, 1613, appears to be the copy Galileo edited himself to create a less controversial version for the Church despite his attempt to see more in line with Rome.

Galileo eventually published his thoughts on the universe in a book which became banned and he lived out his years under house arrest.

Galileo is long lost letter was found by an Italian researcher at the World Society's library in the UK. It had previously gone unnoticed due to a cataloging error.