Nicolaus Copernicus

Fernando TorresW. Stiern Middle School

Ms. Marshall2009-2010H.S.S. 7.10

Introduction

Copernicus was a Polish astronomer Lived from 1473 to 1543 Was a Roman Catholic Considered as the father of modern astronomy Discovered that the sun, not the earth, was the center of

the universe Theories opposed church teachings which overthrew the

reliance of popular ideas of ancient Greek philosophers Provided a model for the scientific method

Birth of CopernicusBirth of CopernicusBorn on February 19, 1473 in Thorn, (now Torun) Born on February 19, 1473 in Thorn, (now Torun) PolandPoland

Parents were Barbara Watzcelrode and Nicolaus Parents were Barbara Watzcelrode and Nicolaus KoppernigkKoppernigk

Name in Poland is either Niklas Koppernigk or Name in Poland is either Niklas Koppernigk or Mikolaj KopernikMikolaj Kopernik

Belonged to a family of wealthy merchantsBelonged to a family of wealthy merchants

ChildhoodChildhood Had two sisters and a brother:Had two sisters and a brother:

Andreas/ Andrzej, who became an Augustinian canon at Andreas/ Andrzej, who became an Augustinian canon at FromborkFrombork

Barbara, who became a Benedictine nunBarbara, who became a Benedictine nun

Katharina/ Katarzyna, who married Barthel Gertner, a Katharina/ Katarzyna, who married Barthel Gertner, a business man and city councillorbusiness man and city councillor

Was the youngest one in the familyWas the youngest one in the family At the age of ten, Copernicus went to live with his uncle, At the age of ten, Copernicus went to live with his uncle,

who was a prince and a bishop, after his father diedwho was a prince and a bishop, after his father died

Basic Studies

Entered the University of Cracow in 1491 and studied mathematics and painting

Also studied liberal arts- which included astronomy and astrology

Left before he completed his degree in 1494

Uncle arranged for Copernicus to serve as a canon( church official) at the cathedral at Frombork

Job provided Copernicus with income for his studies

Studied religious law and medicine at the universities of Bologna and Padua

Gained a doctorate in canon law at the University of Ferrara

Further Studies in Astronomy

In Italy attended the astronomical lectures of Professor Domenico Maria Novara

Copernicus’s earliest observations were in the year 1497 On March 9, 1497 observed and recorded an eclipse of the

star Aldebaran In the 1500ths, he lectured in Rome about mathematics,

astronomy, medicine, and theology Attended a conference in Rome about the calendar reform

where people argued that if the Earth was the center of the sun then why were they getting inaccurate calendars

Witnessed a lunar eclipse on November 6, 1500 Returned to Poland in either 1505 or 1506 after completing

his studies in 1503

Copernicus’s Job as Copernicus’s Job as CanonCanon

• Returned to Poland in his early 30’sReturned to Poland in his early 30’s• Served as a canon for 40 yearsServed as a canon for 40 years• Assisted the bishop in :Assisted the bishop in :

governing the diocese( the territorial governing the diocese( the territorial authority of a bishop),authority of a bishop),

administering church property,administering church property,

and used his medical training on the and used his medical training on the clergy and the poorclergy and the poor

Nightly WatchesNightly Watches

Often watched the night sky atop a roofless tower Often watched the night sky atop a roofless tower of stone that he built himselfof stone that he built himself

Did not use a telescope in his observationsDid not use a telescope in his observations Made regular observations about the path of the Made regular observations about the path of the

sun, moon, and planetssun, moon, and planets Tried to calculate the planet’s orbitsTried to calculate the planet’s orbits With careful observation, he learned much about With careful observation, he learned much about

the universethe universe

Copernicus’s Theories

Early astronomers had suggested a heliocentric universe ( a universe where the sun is the center of the universe)

Immediately religious church leaders rejected these ideas, wanting their view of the universe to be the only one

Copernicus believed that Ptolemy’s theory contained flaws The idea that stars rotated around the earth and that the sun moved

around the earth every night and day was complicated Copernicus observed that the planets changed in brightness and even

moved backwards’ like Mars Wondered if the earth moved along with the planets- third from the

sun, which set Mars back to fourth This explained Mar’s backward motion Concluded that all planets orbit the sun Proposed that the earth revolves yearly around the sun Theorized that the earth moved on its axis

De Revolutionibus Orbium CoelestiumDe Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium

This book explained Copernicus’s theoriesThis book explained Copernicus’s theories Called Called On the Revolution of the Heavenly SpheresOn the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres or or DeDe

Revolutionibus Orbium CoelestiumRevolutionibus Orbium Coelestium in Poland in Poland Published in 1543Published in 1543 Demonstrated how the earth's motion could be used to Demonstrated how the earth's motion could be used to

explain the movements of other universal bodiesexplain the movements of other universal bodies Copernicus refused to publish his theories, afraid that he Copernicus refused to publish his theories, afraid that he

will be exiledwill be exiled In 1530, allowed scholars to review his workIn 1530, allowed scholars to review his work Georg Rheticus, used Copernicus’s permission to publish Georg Rheticus, used Copernicus’s permission to publish

his book, but was forced into exilehis book, but was forced into exile The job of publishing Copernicus’s book was left to a The job of publishing Copernicus’s book was left to a

Lutheran Minister, Abdreas OsianderLutheran Minister, Abdreas Osiander Copernicus died before he ever saw his book publishedCopernicus died before he ever saw his book published Dedicated to Pope Paul IIIDedicated to Pope Paul III

Roman Catholic Church’s Action

• Banned On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres in 1616 and it remained on a list of forbidden books until the 1800’s

• Religious leaders disagreed with Copernicus’s theories because they contradicted their view of the universe

• Some scholars understood Copernicus’s theories but they did not openly oppose the church

DeathDeath

Scientists and astronomers like Scientists and astronomers like Galileo and Johannes Kepler helped Galileo and Johannes Kepler helped prove some of Copernicus’s theoriesprove some of Copernicus’s theories

Copernicus died on May 24, 1543 in Copernicus died on May 24, 1543 in FraunbergFraunberg

Was unmarried and bared no Was unmarried and bared no childrenchildren

Bibliography

Ellavich C. Marie. Scientist's: their Lives and Works. 1997

Boltzmann, Cuvier. The Grolier Library of Science Biographies. 1996