Nicolaus Copernicus was never a professional astronomer. The work that made him famous was written in his spare time. It was for friends in that in about 1513, Copernicus first wrote a short account on his (Sun centered) cosmology. Printed in 1543, De Revolutionibus, (Copernicus's book on the theory of the universe) was established. For the first time in history, the correct position of the Sun among the planets was right. Copernicus put an end to the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe. "The Sun said Copernicus, was the center of the planetary system, and instead of not moving, the earth evolved around the sun in the every year, while rotating once every 24 hours about its axis. The book therefore, also challenged the belief that the earth was the center of the universe.
It is rightfully considered by some to have caused the greatest revolution in science thought in the last two thousand years. Basically, Copernicus’s theory helped understand space, space science, and the world around us. His contribution still makes a difference in the world today because of what he did. Now, we can send satellites, rockets, and even people into space because of what Copernicus wrote and showed the world. The world around us is full of questions. We cannot answer all of them because, it is an answer unknown, or it is an answer nobody saw, nobody studied. Copernicus studied, and looked, to find an error, and he built the answer that answers many questions today.
Today, people would state that Copernicus's theory on the universe was amazing, and pure genius. A long time ago, the Church was a considered a strong branch of importance to the peoples of Europe, and the church wasn't all that happy with Copernicus's theory on the universe. For Biblical reasons, people first raised opposition against the Copernicus theroy. Copernicus dedicated his book on his findings to the Pope Paul III and a preface saying that his theory was created only for making the calculations of planetary positions easier and not to be a theroy or law of reality.
On the Catholic side opposition only commenced 73 years later, when Galileo occasioned it. In1616, the work of Copernicus was forbidden by the congregation of the Index. In 1620 these corrections were made. Nine sentences, by which Copernicus stated his theroy on the universe was represented as certain, had to be either taken out of the book of changed. This done, the reading of the book was allowed. In 1758 the book of Copernicus disappeared. New editions were issued in Basle (1566) by Rheticus in Amsterdam (1617) by Muller of Gottingen, and in Warsaw (1854). While he did not shrink from destroying a scientific system created by a thousand years universal acceptance, he set his face against those of the highest ranks in religion.
Copernicus basically discovered the theroy on the universe, that the Sun rests in the middle of the universe. I am sure that people today still thank Copernicus for his theroy on the universe. Neil Armstrong may have not landed on the moon and said the famous words that changed space science, space travel and the world. To make a trip into space or some distant planet, you need exact calculations on where, when, and how you will reach your destination. One small glitch may change the whole course of the mission. If your traveling in space, its helpfull if you know whats around you. For all I know, Neil Armstrong may have landed on the sun! (Of course thats not possible since he would turn into a fireball of greasy flame and sinched skin, spreading light for a few magnificicant seconds!)
by: Benjamin T
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