Heliocentric+theory

 The Heliocentric theory was the belief that the Sun was the center of our solar system, even of the universe, and that all the planets revolved around it. In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus revised the heliocentric theory that had been created in the 6th century by the Greeks. Copernicus, a Polish scientist, believed that the Sun was the center of the universe and argued that the planets (listed from the closest planets outward) positioned near the Sun were Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and then Saturn. Copernicus also believed that the Earth rotated on its axis every day and revolved around the Sun every year. While this theory was fairly accurate, it stirred much controversy within the Catholic Church, for the Church preached Ptolemy’s theory. Ptolemy, an Egyptian scientist, believed that the Sun and the planets revolved around the Earth, which was nonmoving. While Copernicus' theory was well acknowledged after his death, it was “forbidden” during Copernicus’ time. After Copernicus' death, Johannes Kepler proved Copernicus' theory with mathematics. Copernicus helped spark the beginning of the Scientific Revolution with his revisions of the Heliocentric Theory.

http://science.jrank.org/pages/3275/Heliocentric-Theory-Copernican-revival-heliocentric-theory.html

http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Copernicus.htm Created By Christina Oelsner 2/10/09 Edited By Danielle Fishman 2/10/09 Edited by Rachellm 2/11/09