Copernicus: The Father of Modern Astronomy

Lia Martinez

Challenge B

Astronomy Essay 3: Copernicus 

Although Copernicus worked in many areas, the field he most influenced was science, specifically astronomy. When Copernicus was a child, the study of stars, planets, and the sky was called astrology, which was more of a religious practice than a science. For years astrology was used to explain philosophy and religious matters, but as he grew older and even after his death it shifted towards science, mathematics, and as a way to substantiate the Bible. As a student at The University Of Krakow he was taught the geocentric model, which theorizes that the earth is the center of the universe and the sun and all the planets revolve around it. Although this was taught in universities at that time, not everyone believed the theory to be true. In fact, Aristarchus, an astrologer who lived nearly two thousand years before Copernicus was born believed differently. His theory postulated that the sun was the center of the universe and everything else revolves around it, which is called the heliocentric model. The early work of Aristarchus is what launched Copernicus into the field of astronomy, which is where he ultimately left his greatest mark. 

While in school, Copernicus thought Aristarchus’s ideas were foolish; as he grew older and spent more time reading, experimenting, and studying the stars he slowly gathered more evidence which led him to confirm that this theory was indeed true. As he became more invested in his findings, he discovered many flaws in the teaching of the day. With the confirmation he needed to prove the geocentric model false, he decided to write a book called “Commentariolus”. Although these were ground-breaking discoveries Copernicus decided not to publish his book on a mass scale in fear of persecution, so he shared his book only with close trusted friends. At this point in his life he was a church administrator and disapproval, shame, and possibly death were in store if he let his findings out. Another astronomer was burned at the stake for proposing similar ideas which were thought by the church to be heretical. It was the years of research that convinced Copernicus that the heliocentric model was correct, and now he needed to decide if and when he would publish his findings. 

It wasn’t until near the time of his death that he finally garnered the courage to have the book published so that his years of work on the heliocentric model would not die with him. The publishing of his book was astonishing for many people, especially teachers and church officials who respected him and had a difficult time accepting that what they once practiced as truth was indeed false. Although Copernicus didn’t originally produce the heliocentric theory, he is still widely credited with popularizing it and is called the father of modern astronomy. As Copernicus held the first printed copy of his book on his deathbed, he was about to leave the world physically but remain eternally because of his contributions to science.        

 Bibliography 

Fradin, and Brindell Dennis. “Nicolaus Copernicus: The Earth Is a 

Planet.” New York, Mondo Publishing, 2003

Andronik, M. Catherine. “Copernicus: Founder Of Modern Astronomy.” 

New Jersey, Enslow Publisher, 2002

    Ingram, Scott. “Copernicus: Father of Modern Astronomy.” Michigan, 

Blackbird Press and Thompson, 2004

    Bortz, Fred .“The Sun-Centered Universe and Nicolaus Copernicus.” 

New York, The Rosen Publishing Group, 2014