Copernicus & Galileo Flashcards
What is the Geocentric Theory
That the earth is stationary and at the center of the universe with the sun, moon and planets move around it.
What is the Heliocentric Theory
It places the sun at the center of the solar system with the planets including earth moving around it.
The Heliocentric theory was proposed first by Nicolous Copernicus to challenge the Geocentric theory which had been believed for hundreds of years.
The Heliocentric theory was supported by scientists like Galileo Galilei and Johannnes Keppler who provided evidence to support the theory.
Who was Copernicus
He was a polish cleric and astronomer living in the early 1500’s.
He studied an ancient idea that contradicted the belief that the earth was the centre of the universe for 25 years.
He found through his studied that the stars, earth and other planets moved around the sun.
This is the Heliocentric theory.
He knew his theory would be rejected by the Catholic Church
He waited until the year he died to publish his findings.
Other scientists such as Tycho studied his theory for many years and supported it.
Who was Tycho Brahe
Brahe was a scientist studied Copernicus’ theory and proposed a hybrid model - the Tychonic system.
This system suggested the earth was at the center with the sun orbiting earth and the other plants orbiting the sun.
Who was Johannes Kepler
He was Brahe’s assistant and carried on his research
He concluded that certain math laws governed the planets movements
One law showed the planets orbiting the sun in elliptical orbits instead of circles
His math laws proved Copernicus’ theory.
Who was Galileo Galilei
He was an inventor who built is own telescope to study space.
He found that Jupiter had 4 moons
He found that the earth’s moon had a rough uneven surface
His findings supported Copernicus’ theory
His findings threatened the Church’s because they went against the Church’s authority as the teachers and resulted in people questioning the Church’s theory’s.
Galileo published a book outlining the two theories of the Universe and concluded that the Copernican theory was correct.
He stood trial in 1633 before the Catholic Church in an inquisition.
He backed down and said the ideas of Copernicus were not true.
Catholic Church jailed him anyway and he lived in house arrest until he died.
Why did the Church’s Fear and Reject New Ideas in Astronomy
Because they held power over the people as the authority over all areas of life and were the main teachers.
They didn’t want the people to question their teachings and beliefs as society relied heavily upon the Church to lead and promote the right way to live and what to believe in.
They feared that if any of their teachings were proven to be incorrect it would cause people to question their belief’s and the Church itself.
