The Universe of Nicolaus Copernicus
Introduction
Is it possible for one man to change the whole universe? Nicolaus Copernicus did. This amazing scientist discovered that the Earth goes around the sun. Without Copernicus, people such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei would not have been able to add wider impact to his theories.
Childhood and Family
Nicolaus Copernicus, born as Mikolaj Koppernigk, had a decidedly rough childhood. He was born on February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland. His parents were Mikolaj Koppernigk and Barbara Watzenrode, both wealthy copper merchants. Copernicus was the youngest of four children, two sisters and a brother. When Nicolaus was ten years old, his father died. He and his siblings were then cared for by his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode. Mr. Watzenrode was a bishop at Frauenburg Cathedral, and he made sure that the young Koppernigks received an excellent education. His childhood taught him to truly think about the world around him, preparing him for his discoveries in later in life.
Education
Nicolaus Copernicus went to the University of Krakow in Krakow, Poland, 1491. At the university, he studied Latin , math, astronomy, geography, and philosophy. Copernicus did not graduate from the University of Krakow. Instead, he went to the University ofBologna to become a canon at Frauenburg cathedral. Nicolaus did not enjoy canonry, and was granted leave on July 27, 1501. After that he studied medicine and Church law at theUniversity of Padua in Padua, Italy.
The Copernican Theory
Copernicus invented the Copernican theory, which explains how the Earth goes around the sun. Copernicus discovered this when staying at the home of Domenico Maria de Novara. De Novara, an astronomy teacher, taught Copernicus Ptolemy’s view of the universe. Ptolemy, a greek astronomer, had believed that the sun went around the Earth. But Nicolaus was dissatisfied with this explanation. He observed, and came to seven conclusions which are listed below
There is no one centre in the universe.
The Earth's centre is not the centre of the universe.
The centre of the universe is near the sun.
The distance from the Earth to the sun is imperceptible compared with the distance to the stars.
The rotation of the Earth accounts for the apparent daily rotation of the stars.
The apparent annual cycle of movements of the sun is caused by the Earth revolving round it.
The apparent retrograde motion of the planets is caused by the motion of the Earth from which one observes
Some of the conclusions were later disproved, but the main idea is true, and has had a gigantic impact on the world, because this theory was the first heliocentric (sun orbiting) one to ever be suggested.
Is it possible for one man to change the whole universe? Nicolaus Copernicus did. This amazing scientist discovered that the Earth goes around the sun. Without Copernicus, people such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei would not have been able to add wider impact to his theories.
Childhood and Family
Nicolaus Copernicus, born as Mikolaj Koppernigk, had a decidedly rough childhood. He was born on February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland. His parents were Mikolaj Koppernigk and Barbara Watzenrode, both wealthy copper merchants. Copernicus was the youngest of four children, two sisters and a brother. When Nicolaus was ten years old, his father died. He and his siblings were then cared for by his maternal uncle, Lucas Watzenrode. Mr. Watzenrode was a bishop at Frauenburg Cathedral, and he made sure that the young Koppernigks received an excellent education. His childhood taught him to truly think about the world around him, preparing him for his discoveries in later in life.
Education
Nicolaus Copernicus went to the University of Krakow in Krakow, Poland, 1491. At the university, he studied Latin , math, astronomy, geography, and philosophy. Copernicus did not graduate from the University of Krakow. Instead, he went to the University ofBologna to become a canon at Frauenburg cathedral. Nicolaus did not enjoy canonry, and was granted leave on July 27, 1501. After that he studied medicine and Church law at theUniversity of Padua in Padua, Italy.
The Copernican Theory
Copernicus invented the Copernican theory, which explains how the Earth goes around the sun. Copernicus discovered this when staying at the home of Domenico Maria de Novara. De Novara, an astronomy teacher, taught Copernicus Ptolemy’s view of the universe. Ptolemy, a greek astronomer, had believed that the sun went around the Earth. But Nicolaus was dissatisfied with this explanation. He observed, and came to seven conclusions which are listed below
There is no one centre in the universe.
The Earth's centre is not the centre of the universe.
The centre of the universe is near the sun.
The distance from the Earth to the sun is imperceptible compared with the distance to the stars.
The rotation of the Earth accounts for the apparent daily rotation of the stars.
The apparent annual cycle of movements of the sun is caused by the Earth revolving round it.
The apparent retrograde motion of the planets is caused by the motion of the Earth from which one observes
Some of the conclusions were later disproved, but the main idea is true, and has had a gigantic impact on the world, because this theory was the first heliocentric (sun orbiting) one to ever be suggested.
Copernicus’s last years of life were never easy. Soon before he died the church forced him to swear that his theory was incorrect. Nicolaus also wrote a book, On the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres. He saw the first printed copy of it just before he died of a stroke. About 50 years after Copernicus died, Galileo Galilei proved his theory. Nicolaus was remembered then, and though he had died in disgrace, became a hero.
Copernicus was an amazing man, who changed the whole universe. He
invented heliocentrism, and even though he died over 450 years ago he is called the
father of modern astronomy. Nicolaus Copernicus left behind a new universe, one that is
still used today. As long as we believe the Copernican theory, Nicolaus Copernicus lives
on, and his legacy continues to unravel to this day.
invented heliocentrism, and even though he died over 450 years ago he is called the
father of modern astronomy. Nicolaus Copernicus left behind a new universe, one that is
still used today. As long as we believe the Copernican theory, Nicolaus Copernicus lives
on, and his legacy continues to unravel to this day.
Are you as smart as Copernicus ?
What would you think about the Earth's motion based on the illusion that a skater sees while spinning?
A. You would realize that since the since the skater has the illusion that the world around her is spinning, but really she is the one spinning, the same must be true of planet Earth, that the Earth is also spinning.
B. You would think that because the skater sees the world spinning, the world must actually be spinning
C. You think that because what the skater sees is an illusion, the Earth's motion must be an illusion as well
Why would you believe Ptolemy's geocentric view of the universe?
A. You would only believe it because you did not know enough about the universe to think other views were possible
B. You would believe it because this view fits nicely with The Bible
C. You would believe it because Ptolemy is Greek and Greeks are smart
What method would you use to rediscover knowledge from long ago?
A. You would search for ancient manuscripts containing that knowledge
B. You would ask everyone you knew for ideas
C. You would sit and wait for ideas to come to you
Answer Key
Mostly A's: You are as smart as Copernicus! You go Genius!
Mostly B's: Almost there! Just keep studying!
Mostly C's: You are Hopeless. Sorry.
Hodgepodge: See B
A. You would realize that since the since the skater has the illusion that the world around her is spinning, but really she is the one spinning, the same must be true of planet Earth, that the Earth is also spinning.
B. You would think that because the skater sees the world spinning, the world must actually be spinning
C. You think that because what the skater sees is an illusion, the Earth's motion must be an illusion as well
Why would you believe Ptolemy's geocentric view of the universe?
A. You would only believe it because you did not know enough about the universe to think other views were possible
B. You would believe it because this view fits nicely with The Bible
C. You would believe it because Ptolemy is Greek and Greeks are smart
What method would you use to rediscover knowledge from long ago?
A. You would search for ancient manuscripts containing that knowledge
B. You would ask everyone you knew for ideas
C. You would sit and wait for ideas to come to you
Answer Key
Mostly A's: You are as smart as Copernicus! You go Genius!
Mostly B's: Almost there! Just keep studying!
Mostly C's: You are Hopeless. Sorry.
Hodgepodge: See B