Astro2110 – The Solar System

Nicholas Copernicus:

Nicholas Copernicus was extremely impactful to the astronomical world and to society as a whole. Up until Copernicus, the world believed that the earth was the ‘center’ of the universe. Copernicus created the Heliocentric model of the Solar System, saying that the Earth revolves around the sun along with other planets. In 1532, he published this idea along with a model of the solar system in his book, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium. The book contested the accepted geocentric model and proved it illogical. This upset a lot of the world as it showed that we aren’t as important as we think. Copernicus also was the first to say that earth rotates on its axis.

Contemporary Events:

–1492: Christopher Columbus sails the ocean blue. in 1492, the Spanish king and queen send Christopher Columbus across the Atlantic ocean to find the “indies.” Instead, he becomes the first European to reach the Americas and begins an era of colonization of the New World.

–1503: Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo are prominent figures in the Art world. Specifically, Da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa, and Michelangelo sculpts David

Contemporary Figure:

–Henry VIII: June 28 1491 – Jan 28 1547:

Henry VIII was a ruler of England, and was married 6 times. He established the Church of England and named himself Supreme Head of the church. Additionally, Henry VIII is known as the “Father of the Royal Navy”

Reflection: It’s really cool to think about the fact that while Copernicus was observing the sky and proving that the earth revolves around the sun, Christopher Columbus was Discovering North America. I would not have assumed these two things were at the same time, and I wouldn’t have thought scientists of the time were advanced enough to come to these conclusions. It’s crazy that so many significant unrelated world events that we all know and learn about happened in the same period of time 

Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus (February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) is incredibly important to the history of astronomy. He was the one to first suggest that the Earth was not the center of the universe. Instead he surmised that the Earth and the neighboring planets revolved around the sun, thus stirring up controversy amongst many.  His ideas for how the planets are arranged to revolve around the sun formed the basis upon which the scientists that followed utilized.

Other important events that occurred during this time was in the year 1492. Explorer Christopher Columbus lands in what is now present day Bahamas. This is important because it leads to the discovery of the Americas and the entirety of the New World.

As exploration was prominent during these years, another notable expedition occurred in the year 1498. Vasco da Gama sails bellow the tip of Africa and makes it all the way to India.

One very influential person in this time was Martin Luther (November 10, 1483-February 18, 1546). He is important for his actions that acted as a sort of catalyst for religious reformation. In the year 1517, Martin Luther posts his 95 theses and this leads to the protest against the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation begins as new denominations emerge all over Europe.

 When studying certain individual such as Copernicus, it may seem only relevant to learn about his main discovery or contribution to science. However, upon researching more about the time period upon which his discoveries were made, it is easier to see why his actions were so revolutionary. To modern day society, knowing that the Earth orbits the sun is normal and not special in the sense that is now become common knowledge. But when understanding the time period upon which this idea was proposed it is clear why it was groundbreaking and even courageous in the way he was able to stand up to the church. This is why learning in this contextual type way is important.