Emma McKenna Mrs.

Nagel Humanities Faire

The Great Scientific Discovery of Copernicus

In the face of persecution, Copernicus was a scientist striving for the truth. Although some may say Copernicus was not a great scientist because he did not independently come up with the heliocentric theory or, because his model was partially inaccurate, I believe that Copernicus was a brave, persistent, scientist looking for the truth no matter what the cost. Nicholas Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473. His father died when he was about ten years old so his uncle Lukasz Lzenrode, who was a bishop, took him in. His uncle wanted Nicholas to be a priest so he provided him with an excellent education. He studied at Cracow Academy where he first learned astronomy and developed a lifelong passion for the stars. At that time Copernicus was taught a geocentric model of the universe, which means the earth is at the center of the universe. He went on to study law and medicine at the Universities of Padua and Bologna. In this period of time he may have heard of the heliocentric model of the universe which asserts that the sun, not the earth, is at the center of the universe. In 1502, Copernicus received a doctorate in canon law, but he never became a priest. He then returned to his ailing uncle, the Bishop, to help take care of him. While caring for his uncle, he studied the stars whenever he got the chance. In 1510 he was

given a position as canon at the cathedral in Frauenburg where he continued his astrological pursuits. He remained there for the rest of his life, working for the church, practicing medicine, and studying astrology. While studying the stars he distributed a manuscript called Little Commentary, which held the statements that, there is no one center in the universe, the earths center is not the center of the universe, the center of the universe is near the sun, the distance from the earth to the sun is imperceptible compared with distance to the stars, the rotation of the earth accounts for the apparent daily rotation of the stars, the apparent annual cycle of movements of the sun is caused by the earth revolving around it, and the apparent retrograde motion of the planets is caused by the motion of the earth from which one observes. (New Mexico Museum of Space and History). This manuscript was deemed heretical by the Catholic Church because the Church taught the Ptolemic model which places mankind at the center of the universe. It challenged, or so many believed, that man was the pinnacle of Gods creation. Copernicus also wrote a book called De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium, which translates to Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbs. This book talked about the heliocentric model which puts the sun near the center of the universe. This book was written from the ideas of ancient Greek thinkers Aristarchus and Philolaus. This book was later put on the Vatican Index of Forbidden Work. Copernicus said to this, "I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that in this book which I have written concerning the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, I ascribe certain motions to the Earth, they will cry out at once that I and my theory should be rejected." (http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=123)

Copernicus was a devout Catholic, yet he believed that his research did not go against Church teaching or the Bible that taught that man was Gods ultimate creation. "Those things which I am saying now may be obscure, yet they will be made clearer in their proper place." (http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=123) His book, Revolution of the Heavenly orbs was published on his deathbed. After Copernicus died, he inspired people to research the heliocentric theory that he believed to be true. They were called Copernicans. The Copernicans worked on their theories in secret for fear of persecution from the Church. One of the Copernicans, an Italian named Giordano Bruno, stated that he believed in the heliocentric theory and he was burned at the stake for his beliefs which were later proved to be true by various scientists. Some people may ask, why did Copernicus go against the teachings of the Catholic Church who gave him an education, a position as a canon, a home, and the resources to complete his research? I would answer did not reject any teaching of the Church that concerned man being created in the image of God and being unique in creation. Copernicus was searching for the truth and he believed that the heliocentric model of the universe was valid. He also believed that he was not going against the Catholic Churchs teachings or the bible because he was striving for the truth. Because he had a position in the church he thought that he had some say in what they were teaching. He himself said this, For I am not enamoured of my own opinions that I disregard what others may think of them. (http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=123) Others may say Copernicus could not have been a great scientist because his model was inaccurate. I respond to that by arguing that he demonstrated that he was a

great scientist because at the time there were no telescopes for him to use. He did not have the tools to make an accurate model. Copernicus said, For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial motions through careful and expert study. He also said, To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know, that is true knowledge." (http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=123) I believe that he did the most careful and expert study that he could during that time period. However, the fact that he was accurate in that our universe is heliocentric is quite amazing because he had no tools but the naked eye to use. Imagine you only had your eyes, would you not think it amazing that you found the patterns of the planets around the sun? Also think about this: if you were in the position of the church if you just found out that what you were teaching for a very long time was wrong and you believed the new theory proved that man was not the center of Gods creation, would you want to accept it? Furthermore, Copernicus used the scientific process where he came up with a hypothesis and proved through observation and research that his theory was true. He said, "Perhaps there will be babblers who, although completely ignorant of mathematics, nevertheless take it upon themselves to pass judgment on mathematical questions and, badly distorting some passages of Scripture to their purpose, will dare find fault with my undertaking and censure it. I disregard them even to the extent as despising their criticism as unfounded." (http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=123) This Basically means that he wont stop believing in his research even though you may twist the bible to your needs and that he will completely disregard judgment from others towards him.

Nicholas Copernicus was the first scientist to formally state that the heliocentric model of the universe was correct and he was the first to formally challenge the geocentric model, which was a long held belief in the Catholic Church. The heliocentric model, in many peoples minds challenges the fact that we are the pinnacle of Gods creation. Copernicus believed that his theory did not challenge biblical truth. He was a great scientist, striving to find the truth regardless of the cost to himself.