Copernicus 16th c

1543

Published On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

Based on over 30 years of research

Hesitant to publish, released shortly before death

Commitment to Christianity

Declaration made to Pope Paul III in On the Revolutions

Had to present work as Platonic theory rather than observed Aristotelian fact

1616 - banned by Catholic Church on Index, scholars could access edited version but not removed from Index until 1758

Inadequacy of Ptolemaic system

Inability to explain all astronomical movements

Inability to accurately set a date for Easter every year

Proposition

Universe in Heliocentric, Sun at centre, as opposed to dominanant view by Ptolemy and others that Earth at centre

Edits to Aristotle and Ptolemy

Agreed heavenly bodies moved in perfect circles

Proposed universe made up of 8 sphere

Sun at centre unmoving

Planets move around sun, each in a seperate sphere not interfering with one another

Moon revolved in own sphere around earth

Popularity

Despite Church’s attempt to censor

Book hugely influential later and findings seen as accepted in many intellectual circles

Not neccessarily in lifetime

Many at time believed simply presenting thoughts not to be taken seriously

Earth moving idea so counter intuitive it seemed impossible, contradicated biblical accounts that stated Earth stood still

Preface inserted by Andreas Oisander a Protestant minister who stated book served simply to provide a model to aid astronomical calculatons, unlikely to be true

Only 10 thinkers accepted Copernicus’ theory as physical truth before 1600

57 years after publication of Malleus

1 year after Witchcraft Act under Henry VIII

World fixated on religious doctrines

Limits

Viewed as conservative over revolutionary thinker

Made theoretical conclusions rather than empirical observations like Ptolemy

Unsure what spheres made of or whether they could even be seen

Refused to change Ptolemy’s underlying approach and believed all planetary movements must be perfectly circular