What fundamental change did Galileo's observation of a rugged Moon catalyze in the practice of astronomy?

It shifted astronomy from a pursuit rooted in philosophical mathematics to one demanding empirical proof

The implications of seeing undeniable, physical roughness on the Moon marked a critical turning point in the history of science. Before Galileo's clear, undeniable observations made through the telescope, astronomy was largely academic and philosophical, heavily reliant on mathematical perfection derived from accepted doctrines. The revelation that the heavens were subject to the same physical imperfections as Earth necessitated a new approach. This catalyzed a transition toward an observational science where empirical proof, gathered through hands-on investigation and detailed recording of data, became the required standard for validating or rejecting scientific theories about celestial bodies.