ASTRONOMERS & ASTROPHYSICISTS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Grimaldi, Francesco Maria (1618-1663) An Italian Jesuit physicist and astronomer who was the first to describe the diffraction of light (in a work published posthumously in 1665) and the first to attempt a wave theory of light. He verified Galileo's law of the uniform acceleration of falling bodies, drew a detailed map of the Moon, and began the practice of naming lunar features after astronomers and physicists. Related category    • ASTRONOMERS AND ASTROPHYSICISTS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP