Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer and mathematician who is best known for his revolutionary theory of heliocentrism, which proposed that the Sun, rather than the Earth, was at the center of the universe. This theory challenged the widely accepted geocentric model, which placed Earth at the center of the universe and had been held since ancient times.
Copernicus was born in Torun, Poland and studied mathematics and astronomy at various universities in Europe. He also studied law and medicine, but his true passion was astronomy. He spent many years observing the movements of celestial bodies and studying ancient texts on astronomy.
In 1514, Copernicus began developing his heliocentric theory, which he published in his famous work "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres) in 1543. This book caused a major shift in scientific thinking and sparked a revolution in our understanding of the universe.
Copernicus' theory not only placed the Sun at the center of the universe, but also proposed that Earth and other planets revolve around it in circular orbits. This challenged traditional beliefs about Earth's position and motion, as well as its relationship to tu sun.
