ASTRONOMERS
Find out information about astronomers from the past
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland. He spoke German and some believe he had spoken Polish as well. Copernicus was only ten when his father had passed away, his uncle becoming his guardian after that. He was the youngest out of four siblings and his parents being Nicolaus Copernicus Sr. and Barbara Watzenrode. He had attended university in Italy and made a new friend, Domenico Novara. Both had went against the church teachings as they continued to develop their ideas on astronomy. In 1508, Nicolaus had developed a heliocentric planetary system, where the sun was in the centre of the universe. His theory was controversial and was denied by the church. Even when he had collected evidence to prove his claim, the Church was still the strongest at the time and rejected his theory. |
the Commentariolus
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus' piece, the 'Commentariolus' was released around 1514, which summarized all of Nicolaus' findings and researches. These include his heliocentric planetary system. His 40 paged manuscript was repeatedly criticized by his scholars and was considered heretical by the Catholic church as it opposed Aristotle's theory of an Earth-centred universe.
He had also written a second book, but did not wish to publish it until after his death so he would not be accused of being heretic. |
Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei was born on February 15, 1564, and was the first child before six others. His parents were Vincenzo Galilei and Giulia Ammannati. Galileo had attended several subjects and was particularly into mathematics and physics. After studying at different universities, he became physicist, mathematician, philosopher as well as an inventor. He had invented the compass, an enhanced version of the telescope and the pendulum clock. He helped correct what people had thought of the solar system and supported the Copernicus theory, where the sun was in the center of the solar system. After agreeing with Copernican's theory, he was accused of heresy. (Someone who went against church laws) This was because his theory had went against the church's teachings, and his discoveries became controversial. He was warned and ordered not to continue his research of the solar system. Because of this, more people had strayed away from the truth again. |
Reference
Bio.com (2015) Nicolaus Copernicus Biography [Online]
Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/nicolaus-copernicus-9256984
[Accessed: 20th August 2015]
Bio.com (2015) Galileo Biography [Online]
Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220
[Accessed: 24th August 2015]
Bio.com (2015) Nicolaus Copernicus Biography [Online]
Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/nicolaus-copernicus-9256984
[Accessed: 20th August 2015]
Bio.com (2015) Galileo Biography [Online]
Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220
[Accessed: 24th August 2015]