Heilbron takes in the landscape of culture, learning, religion, science, theology, and politics of late Renaissance Italy to produce a richer and more rounded view of Galileo, his scientific thinking, and the company he kept.

For hundreds of years, people have dreamed of Jupiter, the king of the planets. But the trip across the solar system is so long and dangerous that it seems almost impossible. Join us, as we tell you an incredible story. It's true, except for otherworldly wisecracks from a medieval genius named Galileo. (And who knows? Maybe those parts are true too.) The Galileo Mission is one of the toughest journeys that has ever been undertaken. It's an epic adventure...