Copernicus, Nicolas (1473-1543) Polish scientist and astronomer who specialized in mathematics and optics. He is remembered mostly for advancing the idea that the sun is at he center of the solar system, not the Earth (On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres, 1543).
This was truly groundbreaking as Ptolemy’s theory – that the Earth is the center of the universe – predominated at the time.
The German poet Goethe had this to say about Copernicus’s lasting influence in the history of ideas:
Of all discoveries and opinions, none may have exerted a greater effect on the human spirit than the doctrine of Copernicus.
» Cosmology, Galileo
Add to this, report errors, suggest edits or voice your opinion by posting a comment
