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Copernicus' Theory
Seven Assumptions 1. There is no one center of all the celestial circles or spheres. 2. The center of the earth is not the center of the universe, but only of gravity and of the lunar sphere. 3. All the spheres revolve about the sun as their mid-point, and therefore the sun is the center of the universe. 4. The ratio of the earth's distance from the sun to the height of the firmament (outermost celestial sphere containing the stars) is so much smaller than the ratio of the earth's radius to its distance from the sun that the distance from the earth to the sun is imperceptible in comparison with the height of the firmament. 5. Whatever motion appears in the firmament arises not from any motion of the firmament, but from the earth's motion. The earth together with its circumjacent elements performs a complete rotation on its fixed poles in a daily motion, while the firmament and highest heaven abide unchanged. 6. What appear to us as motions of the sun arise not from its motion but from the motion of the earth and our sphere, with which we revolve about the sun like any other planet. The earth has, then, more than one motion. 7. The apparent retrograde and direct motion of the planets arises not from their motion but from the earth's. The motion of the earth alone, therefore, suffices to explain so many apparent inequalities in the heavens.
“Mathemata mathematicis scribuntur” Mathematics is written for mathematicians
“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.”
“If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority of some passage of Scripture wrested to their purpose, to condemn and censure my hypothesis, I value them not, and scorn their inconsiderate judgement.”
Life Span: February 19, 1473 – May 24 1543
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish mathematician and astronomer who proposed that the sun was the center of the universe and the earth revolved around it. He was born on February 19, 1473, in Torun, Poland. After his father’s death, he was raised by his uncle, Lucas Watzenrode, who became the bishop of Warmia. Through his uncle, he was elected canon at Frauenburg Cathedral. He studied philosophy, mathematics, medicine, canon law, civil law, and his favorite, astronomy. In 1530, Copernicus completed his book, De Revolutionibus, which asserted that the earth rotated on its axis once daily and traveled around the sun once yearly. He is regarded as the founder of modern astronomy and the starter of the Scientific Revolution. Nicolaus Copernicus died
BIOGRAPHY:
Time Period: Renaissance
Copernicus is significant to history because he was the starting point of modern astronomy and the inspiration that began the Scientific Revolution. His work stimulated further scientific investigations, becoming a landmark in the history of modern science that is now often referred to as the Copernican Revolution. He left an impact on science that led to more discoveries in astronomy.
He is known for heliocentrism, which is the theory
that the Sun is at the center of the universe.
Copernicus presented a fully predictive mathematical model of a heliocentric
system. His work is still studied today.
SIGNIFICANCE:
MAJOR LIFE ACCOMPLISH,ENT
His book, De Revolutionibus orbium coelestium, (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) is considered by some
to be one of the greatest books ever written. It is the seminal work on
heliocentric theory. The book is dedicated to Pope Paul III in a preface that argues that mathematics, not
physics, should be the basis for understanding and accepting his
new theory. The book was written in six parts.
De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium
http://www.gap-system.org/~history/Mathematicians/Copernicus.html http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Copernicus.htm http://www.phy.hr/~dpaar/fizicari/xcopern.html
on May 24 1543.
