Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543). Polish astronomer. His theory that the earth revolves on its axis and that the sun, not the earth, is the centre of the planetary system was the result of 30 years of research, and was fully described in his book Concerning the Revolution of Celestial Bodies (1543). The astronomers Kepler, Galileo, and Newton developed and expanded Copernicus’s theory, which he was reluctant to publish in his lifetime. Though the initial reaction of the Catholic Church was favourable, Copernicus’s book was subsequently banned until the 18th century.
“An upstart astrologer who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heaven or firmament, the sun and the moon. This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred scriptures tell us that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, not the earth. Martin Luther on Nicolaus Copernicus”
