Nicholas Copernicus in modern astronomy

Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543) was the first astronomer to demonstrate mathematically that the earth rotates around the sun.

Born at Thorn in Poland, Copernicus studied at the University of Karcow and at Padua and Bologna, Italy. In 1499, he was appointed as a professor of mathematics in Rome. He later became a priest, but continued his studies in astronomy.

Copernicus was able to demonstrate that the sun was the focal point of the orbits of the earth and other planets, and that the moon alone revolved around the earth. But the people with conventional wisdom denied his theories.

Copernicus's theories were the foundation upon which Galileo and Sir Issac Newton built the structure of modern astronomy.

Tags: Nicholas Copernicus, first astronomer, Galileo, Sir Issac Newton