Nicolaus Copernicus

Copernicus put the Sun in the middle of his model of the Universe. Nicolaus Copernicus studied astronomy, mathematics, law, and medicine. He worked in an administrative position in a church in Frauenburg, Poland, where he also pursued his interest in ASTRONOMY. Copernicus began to question the established theory that stated Earth was stationary at the centre of the Universe with the Moon, Sun, and planets moving around it in circular paths.

This illustration shows Earth at the centre of the Universe – a view that was first developed by the Greeks.

the wor ld Through countless calculations, Copernicus changed the way we look at the Solar System, laying the foundations for future astronomers. How he changed…

Sun-centred system

By 1530, Copernicus finished his book, The Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. His main theory was that the planets – including Earth – revolved around the Sun. Copernicus was CORRECT, but because this contradicted the church’s belief that Earth was at the centre of the Universe, he did not release his book until a few months before his death.