Heliocentrism
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| - | In [[astronomy]], '''heliocentrism''' is the idea that the sun is at the center of the [[Universe]] and/or the [[Solar System]]. The word is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] (''[[Helios]]'' = "Sun" and ''kentron'' = "Center"). Historically, heliocentrism is opposed to [[geocentrism]]{{GFDL}} | + | |
| + | '''Heliocentrism''', or '''heliocentricism''', is the [[astronomy|astronomical]] model in which the [[Earth]] and planets revolve around a relatively stationary [[Sun]] at the center of the [[Solar System]]. | ||
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| + | Historically, heliocentrism was opposed to [[geocentrism]], which placed the Earth at the center. The notion that the Earth revolves around the Sun had been proposed as early as the 3rd century BC by [[Aristarchus of Samos]], but Aristarchus's heliocentrism attracted little attention until [[Copernicus]] revived and elaborated it. [[Lucio Russo]], however, argues that this is a misleading impression resulting from the loss of scientific works of the Hellenistic Era. Using indirect evidence he argues that a heliocentric view was expounded in [[Hipparchus]]'s work on gravity. | ||
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| + | It was not until the 16th century that a fully predictive [[mathematical model]] of a heliocentric system was presented, by the [[Renaissance]]<!-- do not add a nationality claim --> mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic cleric [[Nicolaus Copernicus]] of Poland, leading to the [[Copernican Revolution]]. In the following century, [[Johannes Kepler]] elaborated upon and expanded this model to include [[ellipse|elliptical]] orbits, and supporting observations made using a [[telescope]] were presented by [[Galileo Galilei]]. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Geocentrism]] | ||
| + | * [[Copernican Revolution (metaphor)]] | ||
| + | * [[Copernican principle]] | ||
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| + | {{GFDL}} | ||
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Heliocentrism, or heliocentricism, is the astronomical model in which the Earth and planets revolve around a relatively stationary Sun at the center of the Solar System.
Historically, heliocentrism was opposed to geocentrism, which placed the Earth at the center. The notion that the Earth revolves around the Sun had been proposed as early as the 3rd century BC by Aristarchus of Samos, but Aristarchus's heliocentrism attracted little attention until Copernicus revived and elaborated it. Lucio Russo, however, argues that this is a misleading impression resulting from the loss of scientific works of the Hellenistic Era. Using indirect evidence he argues that a heliocentric view was expounded in Hipparchus's work on gravity.
It was not until the 16th century that a fully predictive mathematical model of a heliocentric system was presented, by the Renaissance mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic cleric Nicolaus Copernicus of Poland, leading to the Copernican Revolution. In the following century, Johannes Kepler elaborated upon and expanded this model to include elliptical orbits, and supporting observations made using a telescope were presented by Galileo Galilei.
See also
