The Progression to Proving a Heliocentric System - 615 Words

For centuries the world believed in a system formulated by influential astronomer Ptolemy. In the Ptolemaic system the Earth is at the center of all celestial bodies. This theory was widely accepted especially by the Church who held much prominence in Europe. The Catholic Church believed that God formed the earth therefore it should sit at the center of the universe. It wasnt until the 16th century, when a man name Nicolas Copernicus presented a theory which contradicted all that was known in the world of astronomy. Copernicus presented a heliocentric system, in which he placed the sun at the center of the universe, motionless, with the Earth and other planets rotating around it in circular paths modified by epicycles. Thomas S. Kuhn, in his book, The Copernican Revolution, states that â€Å"Copernicus, the author of the theory that ultimately deprived the heavens of special power, belonged to the minority group of Renaissance astronomers who did not caste horoscopes† (pg. 94) . The Copernican system initially began as a system of minorities, however, as time continued it began to see prominence. Both Johannes Keppler and Galilei Galileo, through their observations and theories began to prove a heliocentric system. Through the utilization of his telescope, Galileo helped prove Copernicus’ heliocentricism. Using his telescope Galileo saw four moons around Jupiter and the phases of Venus which helped support a heliocentric solar system. Copernicus predicted that all phasesShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Influence of Religion on Scientific Advancement1737 Words   |  7 Pagesscientific progression has been aided by religious ideology. By examining both the negative and positive roles religion has played in history, modern times, and the overall area of morality, one can determine the true extent to which faith hinders scientific advancement. The Catholic Inquisitions exemplify one area in which religion has impeded scientific advancement, particularly in reference to the trials of Galileo Galilei. During the 15th century, Galileo began proposing a heliocentric universeRead MoreThe Big Bang Theory, The Theory of Evolution, and the Bible Essay2843 Words   |  12 PagesConclusion 12 Bibliography 13 â€Æ' Introduction Often dubbed the â€Å"Origins Debate,† the debate over the existence of the universe and its beginnings has been one that has existed for many centuries. From facets of life such as a heliocentric universe versus a geocentric universe, to Man’s existence being a matter of creation or evolution, the religion/Bible versus science debate has plagued civilizations on Earth for hundreds years dating back to the days of Anaximander and Empedocles