The name Copernicus is familiar to students of physics and philosophy alike, but the details of his actual accomplishments remain vague to some. After reading this page, you will understand the full depth of Copernicus' life and accomplishments.
Breakdown
Copernicus was a mathematician, author, physician, translator, economist,Catholic cleric, military leader, and governor. His most notable contribution to the scientific society was his Copernican model of heliocentric cosmology,¹ meaning the earth was not the center of the universe. Copernicus' observations conclueded that the earth rotated around the sun,once a year, and rotated around a fixed axis, once per day. His book, published in 1543, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Rotations of the Heavenly Spheres) is about this concept, and it helped to spark the Scientific Revolution. Although Greek, Muslim, and Indian astronomers had speculated such concepts, they were not universally accepted until Copernicus properly explained it in his book.
Early Life of Copernicus
Nickolaus Copernicus, the youngest of four children, was born on February 13, 1473, to a wealthy copper trader, and patrician mother, in the city of Torin, Prussia, then a region of The Kingdom Of Poland. His father passed away when Copernicus was 12 years old, leaving him in the care of a Catholic Cleric, and maternal uncle whom ensured a secure education and future for him. He began school in 1491, enrolling in Krakow Academy, where he became fascinated with astronomy after attending classes conducted by Professor Albert Brudzewski. After four years at Krakow, he went on to study law and medicine Bologna University and Padua. It was here that he encountered Domenico Maria Novara De Ferrara, a famous astronomer during the Renaissance. Copernicus attended Ferrara's lectures and eventually became his assistant. His first observations with Ferrara are recorded in his book "On the Rotations of Heavenly Spheres." While attending University in Padua, Copernicus encountered texts written by Cicero and Plato addressing the movement of the earth, which he drew from while formulating his own theories. It was in 1504 that Copernicus began gathering evidence that supported his theory.²
Post University Life and Work
In 1503, after he finished his multiple degrees in Law, Medicine, and Clerical studies, he returned home to Polish Prussia to begin his career as a secretary for his uncle, the Bishop of Warmia, which he held from 1503 to 1510. Copernicus was also appointed to a canon position in the Cathedral of Frauenburg, and rose into power. He took up painting in his spare time, but his time spent observing the cosmos and making calculations began to increase.⁴ Incredibly, all of his observations were made with the naked eye, as the telescope wouldn't be invented for another hundred years, long after Copernicus' death. He preferred to work alone, using a high turret in the Cathedral as his viewpoint. Finally in 1530, his theory was complete, and he was nearly ready to show it to the world. It is possible that Copernicus' theories would have never been published if a young mathematics professor name George Rhetticus, who lived with Copernicus for two years helping him perfect his work, which Copernicus believed, even after 30 years of work, was not yet perfect. His book was not published until his death in 1543, but his ideas had circulated amongst prominent scientists at the time. In fact, most of Europe was aware of Copernicus's ideas, although he was reluctant to publish his actual data. It is still disputed whether or not Copernicus was merely afraid of offending the church and other philisophical venues with his groundbreaking theories. In any case, he was correct, and it doesn't quite matter nowadays as his theories have been proven.
Legacy of Copernicus
The debate on whether or not the Copernican model violates the truth of the Holy Bible never did much harm to Copernicus himself, thought there was certainly controversy. In the case of Gallelio however, who was accused by the catholic church of heresy for " following the ideas of Copernicus" there was much swifter punishment for such a breach of ancient faith. He was placed on house arrest for the remainder of his living yeas. The Catholics believed that evidence in the Bible as well as the Pythagorean doctrine could prove that the sun was immobile, while only the earth rotated, thus invalidating Copernicus' ideas. Copernicus' book was not removed from banned status until 1835, but his findings remained true.
Death and Conclusion
Copernicus died on May 24, 1593, supposedly from a stroke which caused him to enter a coma. It is generally believed that he awoke shortly before his death, and during his short awakening, On the Rotations of Heavenly Spheres was placed into his hands. He was buried in Frombork cathedral at the place of his death. Recently, Scientists have unearthed the grave of Copernicus and have verified through carbon dating and DNA anaylsis that it is in fact Copernicus and not a look a like.
Nickolas Copernicus
by Keaton Shepherd(February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543)
The name Copernicus is familiar to students of physics and philosophy alike, but the details of his actual accomplishments remain vague to some. After reading this page, you will understand the full depth of Copernicus' life and accomplishments.
Breakdown
Copernicus was a mathematician, author, physician, translator, economist, Catholic cleric, military leader, and governor. His most notable contribution to the scientific society was his Copernican model of heliocentric cosmology,¹ meaning the earth was not the center of the universe. Copernicus' observations conclueded that the earth rotated around the sun ,once a year, and rotated around a fixed axis, once per day. His book, published in 1543, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Rotations of the Heavenly Spheres) is about this concept, and it helped to spark the Scientific Revolution. Although Greek, Muslim, and Indian astronomers had speculated such concepts, they were not universally accepted until Copernicus properly explained it in his book.Early Life of Copernicus
Nickolaus Copernicus, the youngest of four children, was born on February 13, 1473, to a wealthy copper trader, and patrician mother, in the city of Torin, Prussia, then a region of The Kingdom Of Poland. His father passed away when Copernicus was 12 years old, leaving him in the care of a Catholic Cleric, and maternal uncle whom ensured a secure education and future for him. He began school in 1491, enrolling in Krakow Academy, where he became fascinated with astronomy after attending classes conducted by Professor Albert Brudzewski. After four years at Krakow, he went on to study law and medicine Bologna University and Padua. It was here that he encountered Domenico Maria Novara De Ferrara, a famous astronomer during the Renaissance. Copernicus attended Ferrara's lectures and eventually became his assistant. His first observations with Ferrara are recorded in his book "On the Rotations of Heavenly Spheres." While attending University in Padua, Copernicus encountered texts written by Cicero and Plato addressing the movement of the earth, which he drew from while formulating his own theories. It was in 1504 that Copernicus began gathering evidence that supported his theory.²Post University Life and Work
In 1503, after he finished his multiple degrees in Law, Medicine, and Clerical studies, he returned home to Polish Prussia to begin his career as a secretary for his uncle, the Bishop of Warmia, which he held from 1503 to 1510. Copernicus was also appointed to a canon position in the Cathedral of Frauenburg, and rose into power. He took up painting in his spare time, but his time spent observing the cosmos and making calculations began to increase.⁴ Incredibly, all of his observations were made with the naked eye, as the telescope wouldn't be invented for another hundred years, long after Copernicus' death. He preferred to work alone, using a high turret in the Cathedral as his viewpoint. Finally in 1530, his theory was complete, and he was nearly ready to show it to the world. It is possible that Copernicus' theories would have never been published if a young mathematics professor name George Rhetticus, who lived with Copernicus for two years helping him perfect his work, which Copernicus believed, even after 30 years of work, was not yet perfect. His book was not published until his death in 1543, but his ideas had circulated amongst prominent scientists at the time. In fact, most of Europe was aware of Copernicus's ideas, although he was reluctant to publish his actual data. It is still disputed whether or not Copernicus was merely afraid of offending the church and other philisophical venues with his groundbreaking theories. In any case, he was correct, and it doesn't quite matter nowadays as his theories have been proven.Legacy of Copernicus
The debate on whether or not the Copernican model violates the truth of the Holy Bible never did much harm to Copernicus himself, thought there was certainly controversy. In the case of Gallelio however, who was accused by the catholic church of heresy for " following the ideas of Copernicus" there was much swifter punishment for such a breach of ancient faith. He was placed on house arrest for the remainder of his living yeas. The Catholics believed that evidence in the Bible as well as the Pythagorean doctrine could prove that the sun was immobile, while only the earth rotated, thus invalidating Copernicus' ideas. Copernicus' book was not removed from banned status until 1835, but his findings remained true.Death and Conclusion
Copernicus died on May 24, 1593, supposedly from a stroke which caused him to enter a coma. It is generally believed that he awoke shortly before his death, and during his short awakening, On the Rotations of Heavenly Spheres was placed into his hands. He was buried in Frombork cathedral at the place of his death. Recently, Scientists have unearthed the grave of Copernicus and have verified through carbon dating and DNA anaylsis that it is in fact Copernicus and not a look a like.Copernican Model vs. Ptolemaic Model
Sources Cited:
¹www.wikipedia.org/copernicus²Gingerich (2004, pp.187–189,201 )
³http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/copernicus/
⁴http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Copernicus.htm
⁵1http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/copernicus/#2.1