Copernican Model
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Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer responsible for placing the heliocentric universe model on the scientific scheme. In the time of Copernicus, it was widely believed that the Earth was at the centre of the universe. This "fact" was pushed by the churches, the people and what was thought to be "common sense" at the time. Copernicus however set out to prove everybody wrong with his radical new theory that was not only far superior to those previously implemented by Aristotle and Ptolemy, but has shaped the way we view our universe today.
According to Copernicus' theory, the sun was at the centre of the universe around which all heavens and planets orbit in an array of concentric, uniform circular paths. The Copernican model was so radical because in his time there were three important though incorrect widespread assumptions:
1. The Earth was at the centre of the universe
2. The uniform circular motion of the heavens (planets)
3. The heavens consisted of a perfect, unchanging substance not found on Earth
The main focus of Copernicus' theory was to challenge the first of these popular misconceptions i.e...