Copernican Revolution

Nicholas Copernicus

Rediscovered the heliocentric model of the universe.

Heliocentric Model

Sun is at the center of the solar system.

Claudius Ptolemy

Developed the geocentric model of the universe.

Geocentric Model

Earth is at the center of the universe.

Tycho Brahe

Collected 20+ years of astronomical data.

Johannes Kepler

Formulated three laws of planetary motion.

Kepler's First Law

Planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun.

Kepler's Second Law

Equal areas are swept in equal time intervals.

Kepler's Third Law

Orbital period is proportional to orbit size.

Galileo Galilei

Validated the heliocentric model using a telescope.

Galilean Moons

Four largest moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo.

Siderius Nuncius

Galileo's 1610 publication on his astronomical findings.

Universal Law of Gravitation

Describes gravitational attraction between masses.

Perihelion

Point of a planet's closest approach to the sun.

Aphelion

Point of greatest separation from the sun.

Catholic Church

Banned Copernicus' book in 1616.

Experimental Science

Science based on observation and experimentation.

Sunspots

Dark spots on the sun indicating solar activity.

Phases of Venus

Demonstrated Venus orbits the sun, not Earth.

Observatory

Facility for observing astronomical events.

Elliptical Orbits

Paths of planets shaped like elongated circles.

Inquisition

Church court that tried Galileo for heresy.

Copernican Model

Model of the universe supporting heliocentrism.

Astronomical Observations

Data collected from observing celestial bodies.