The Blending of Science and Scripture

Today, Nicolaus Copernicus is a well-known astronomer from the late 15th to the early 16th century. He believed in the theory of a heliocentric solar system: that the sun was the center of the universe and that other planets orbited the sun. At the time, this was greatly contrary to the common belief in Ptolemy’s geocentric system of astronomy—which put the earth at the center of the universe (thus it is not a “solar system”). There were two main reasons behind this belief being popular. One being that it went well with observations made by the Greeks (such as gravity); the other was the Roman Catholic Church at that time believed in the Ptolemaic theory because some scripture seemed to suggest the sun was in motion while the earth was stationary.

Copernicus was not the first to believe in a heliocentric model, Aristarchus of Samos had the same idea around 200BC. However, in the 16th century there was more evidence to support the theory. Copernicus himself made observations and recorded data, these were later complied into “Nicolai Copernici de hypothesibus motuum coelestium a se constitutis commentariolus” (“Nicholas Copernicus' little treatise on the hypothesis formulated by himself for the heavenly motions”), or “Commentariolus” for short. This manuscript was shared only among his friends, not to be published. Word got around to other astronomers, who, along with his friends, urged him to publish. Even as he worked on his book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the revolutions of the celestial spheres), he seemed to stall going public with his ideas. Many believe he was afraid of criticism from other scholars; others believe it had to do with religion (he was a Canon in a Catholic Church). His book was finally published as he was on his death bed around 1543. 

Copernicus was never persecuted by the Church for his works in astronomy. Although, come the 17th century, he and his works were considered heretical. Those who taught his theories were persecuted for being heretics. Galileo Galilei is a famous example, after the Church found him guilty for teaching his beliefs he was sentenced to house arrest for the rest of his life. Just a few years later, the church would come to accept this new theory as evidence was piling up. In 1741 Galileo was cleared of his charges by Pope Benedict XIV. In 1992 Pope John Paul II officially apologized for the way Galileo was treated by the church. Nicolaus Copernicus, who had previously been buried in an unmarked grave beneath Frombork Cathedral, was honored with a reburial in 2005 and given a tombstone engraved with his model of the solar system.

It is ironic though, that both theories have been found to be incorrect as Copernicus’s model had the planets orbiting in circles around the sun rather than elliptical orbits. Nevertheless, he is still seen as a hero today.

Geocentric:

 

Heliocentric:

Today's Solar System:

Sources:

• When the Earth Moved
• Nicolaus Copernicus
• Historical Background
• Difference Between Geocentric and Heliocentric
• Heliocentric Model
• Meet Mr. Universe
• Nicolaus Copernicus Given a Hero's Burial More Then 450 Years After His Death