In 1543, Nicholas Copernicus put an end to the long-standing belief that the earth was the center of the universe.  Although his ideas about the earth and the organization of the cosmos challenged religious views, Copernicus died before the publication of his legendary manuscript, On the Revolution of Heavenly Bodies and was unable to see the impact of his work. His discourse on the planetary system states that the earth revolves around the sun.  The sun, according to Copernicus, was the center of the planetary system, and instead if being stationary, the earth revolved around the sun in a year while rotating once every 24 hours about its axis.
     Copernicus' findings went against the philosophical and religious beliefs held during the medieval times.  It was believed that since Man was made in God's image, he was not part of the natural world.  Since Man is superior to all living creatures, his home must be in the center of the universe.
Copernicus' work completely changed Man's place in the universe and placed him in significance with all living creatures.
     Copernicus' manuscript not only provided the scientific community with evidence against the
Ptolemaic system which states that the earth is the center of the universe, but it also motivated other
scientists to express their opinions in an age of close scrutiny by religious institutions. This influence,
known as the Copernican Revolution inspired great thinkers such as Kepler, Galileo and Newton to
investigate the properties of motion and gravitation and declare their findings even though they risked hearsay charges and death by religious institutions.   Copernicus' work provided a scientific basis that led to the explanation of the varying brightness of the planets, planetary orbits, and uniform circular motion, thus, enhancing our understanding of the universe.

Author: Henry Sheen

References:
Kester, Herman and Ernest Basch.  Copernicus and His World.  New York: Roy Publishers, 1945.

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