Nicolas Copernicus was a Polish astronomer born in 1473 who proposed that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of our solar system. He studied astronomy, astrology and mathematics at the University of Cracow and medicine at the University of Padua. While working as a canon in Frombork, Poland, Copernicus developed his theory over many years, publishing his seminal work "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres" just before his death in 1543. Though not fully accepted in his lifetime, Copernicus' heliocentric model displaced the Earth from the center of the universe and revolutionized astronomy.
2. A little background Born in Torun, Poland, in 1473 Into a well off merchant family Adopted by Lukas Watzenrode (1447-1512), the bishop of Varmia Was elected a canon of the cathedral chapter of Frombork
3. Studies first studied astronomy, astrology and mathematics at the University of Cracow (1491-94). No evidence of degree attainded studied medicine at the University of Padua (1501-3) University of Ferrara where he obtained a doctorate in Canon Law (1503)
4. Later Years He returned to Varmia, where he was based for the rest of his life. He acted as medical advisor and secretary to his uncle at Heilsberg In 1514, the Lateran Council sought Copernicus's opinion on calendar reform By the 1530s, Copernicus's reputation as a skilled mathematician had even reached the ears of the Pope Copernicus shared his ideas with Rheticus then he published the Narratio Prima (First Report on the Books of Revolution) in 1540 at Gdansk, in which he reported Copernicus' heliostatic theory in an astrological framework
5. So what did he do? Copernicus adapted physics to the demands of astronomy, believing that the principles of Ptolemy's system were incorrect. He was the first person in history to put the Sun at the center of the Universe instead of the Earth. Copernicus's system was taught in some universities in the 1500s but had not permeated the academic world until approximately 1600. Copernicus was in no hurry to publish his work, as he was a perfectionist and believed his observations needed to be checked and rechecked.
6. Writtings His first heliocentric writing was his Commentariolus 1513. It was a small manuscript that was circulated but never printed De Revolutionibus OrbiumCoelestium (On The Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres)
7. Say What? Copernicus was never a professional Astronomer. The great work that made him famous was written in his spare time
8. Sadly Copernicus died on May 24, 1543 in Frombork, Poland Copernicus' grave was discovered in Frombork Cathedral in 2005. 15 skeletons were found in an unmarked grave at the foot of an altar. DNA analysis confirmed one set of remains were those of Copernicus. On May 22, 2010, the remains were reburied with great ceremony in the same spot where they were discovered.
9. Started a Revolution Its notable defenders included Johannes Kepler (1571 -1630) and Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642). Strong theoretical underpinning for the Copernican theory was finally provided by Sir Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation (1687).
10. The End Like Fernando said: “The genie was out of the bottle” His theory was proven correct and many other things were discovered along the way.
