Heliocentric Theory

Image depicting Geocentric model vs Heliocentric model

Although he was not the first to propose the concept, Copernicus is considered the father of the heliocentric model of the universe, claiming that the sun was the center of the universe rather than the sun.  This discovery was highly controversial, and Copernicus therefore published his work on his deathbed in fear of retribution from the church.  Along with this theory, he also incorrectly claimed that stars are immovable and Earth orbited in a sphere, however, his ideas were still revolutionary.  His ideas were also built upon by future scientists such as Brahe and Kepler who were able to mathematically fix some of Capernicus' miskates such as the distance of stars from Earth and the shape of a plant's orbital.  Similar to the invention of the telescope, Copernicus published his work after da Vinci's death, meaning the theories da Vinci made on the mood originated with the assumption that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

1514 to 1542