Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus; German: Nikolaus Kopernikus; 19 February 1473 – 24 May 1543) was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than the Earth at the center of the universe. The publication of this model in his book De revolutionibus orbium coelestiumjust before his death in 1543 is considered a major event in the history of science, triggering the Copernican Revolution and making an important contribution to the Scientific Revolution...
NationalityPolish
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth19 February 1473
CountryPoland
We regard it as a certainty that the earth, enclosed between poles, is bounded by a spherical surface.
Hence I feel no shame in asserting that this whole region engirdled by the moon, and the center of the earth, traverse this grand circle amid the rest of the planets in an annual revolution around the sun. Near the sun is the center of the universe. Moreover, since the sun remains stationary, whatever appears as a motion of the sun is really due rather to the motion of the earth.
Accordingly, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we should now consider also whether several motions suit it, so that it can be regarded as one of the planets. For, it is not the center of all the revolutions.
Therefore, having obtained the opportunity from these sources, I too began to consider the mobility of the earth.
In so many and such important ways, then, do the planets bear witness to the earth's mobility.
Among the authorities it is generally agreed that the Earth is at rest in the middle of the universe, and they regard it as inconceivable and even ridiculous to hold the opposite opinion. However, if we consider it more closely the question will be seen to be still unsettled, and so decidedly not to be despised. For every apparent change in respect of position is due to motion of the object observed, or of the observer, or indeed to an unequal change of both.
Moreover, since the sun remains stationary, whatever appears as a motion of the sun is really due rather to the motion of the earth.
The massive bulk of the earth does indeed shrink to insignificance in comparison with the size of the heavens.
Moreover, there is no difference between the earth's centers of gravity and magnitude.
To be sure, heretofore there has been virtually unanimous acceptance of the belief that the middle of the universe is the earth.
Every observed change of place is caused by a motion of either the observed object or the observer or, of course, by an unequal displacement of each.
Near the sun is the center of the universe.
The earth also is spherical, since it presses upon its center from every direction.
Yet if anyone believes that the earth rotates, surely he will hold that its motion is natural, not violent.