Copernicus Heliocentric Model

[Admiral "Bull" Halsey]

For 2000 years, Europeans believed earth was at the center of the universe. This is also known as the Ptolemaic theory. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer in the late 15th/early 16th century was unsatisfied with the belief that all heavenly bodies revolve around the earth. So in 1512, Copernicus set out to explain the theory of a sun center within the universe.

Copernicus noticed that the planets varied in brightness and sometimes appeared to move backward in the sky. If the planets were in a perfect circular orbit around the earth, he hypothesized, this should not happen. Although Copernicus was not the first person to discount the Ptolemaic theory, he was the first to introduce a different theory. His belief of a heliocentric solar system seemed very likely to him, but it needed to be proven. So Copernicus devoted many years making astronomical observations in attempt to bolster support for his theory. But Copernicus was reluctant to make his findings known because he feared criticism from Aristotelian traditionalists. It wasn’t until the year of his death in 1543 that he did release the results of his research, which was later published: "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres".

While Copernicus had many ideas about astrology, astronomy, economics and philosophy, his heliocentric theory was the biggest contribution he made in the middle ages:

1. His effect on the scientific community.

2. His effect on the religious community.

3. Ideas contradicting religious belief.

4. Concepts leading towards church and state separation.

Copernicus had many ideas about astronomy, economics and philosophy, but the idea of heliocentric theory was the biggest contribution he made in the Middle Ages, causing the scientific revolution and immense modifications to religion and Western thought. For the next seven years, Copernicus dwelled within his uncle’s bishopric palace. The sun, he thus concluded, was the center force pulling earth towards it. With his new theories, he contradicted what the church had said for hundreds of years and directly contradicted written scripture. Nicolaus Copernicus passed away in 1543, but no one forgot his astronomical theory. Copernicus astronomical and geographical interests were greatly inspired by Novara (Westman). It’s incredible that Copernicus didn’t let society change his thinking.

Copernicus was a very intellectual man.

[Defeatist Elitist]

Copernicus is one of my many role models, and one of they many members of the scientific community who where unafraid to state the truth when ignorance was prevalent.

[Shuuda]

Indeed... a great man indeed. The sun being the centre of the solar system is such basic knowledge to us now, but without the hard work and bravery (To contradict rabid religious nutjobs) of people like him, we would still be living in complete ignorance.

[TLSothe]

Some of us still are Shuuda. Such as yourself, maybe

Yeah, what these two said. I am too tired to make a real post.

[Leonri]

Last line made me laugh. ^_^

One of the many heroes of science.

Sure, in our society, scientists and science get little publicity, but who will we remember in a hundred years? The discoverer of a cure for AID's or Lindsay Lohan?

[Meteor]

He's not necessarily right.

[Leonri]

He's not necessarily right.

In what way? Our solar system is most certainly heliocentric, verified through a plethora of means.

[Admiral "Bull" Halsey]

?_? The fact that he contradicted the church makes him almost right though.