Biography Category
Name :
Nicolaus Coppernicus
Date :
Views :
659
Category :
Birth Date :
01/01/1970
Birth Place :
Thorn, in Poland
Death Date :
Not Available
Not Available
A critic, Sarah K. Bolton, has remarked that the history of astronomy is a record of the lives of great astronomers.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus Copernicus, a man who created history through his discovery, was born on February 19, 1473, in the town of Thorn on the Prussian frontier. His father, Niclas was a successful tradesman. His mother was sister of the Bishop of Ermland. Of the four children the oldest and youngest, Andreas and Nicolaus, adopted the clerical career, and one of his sisters became a Cistercian nun and Abbess of Culm, and his younger sister got married. The whole family belonged to the Third Order of St. Dominic. Nicolaus was hardly ten years old when his father died. His uncle, Lucas, however, took charge of the children and gave the boys a university training.[br /]
[br /]
The fact that his uncle was the Bishop of Ermland was something that proved advantageous to Nicolaus during his manhood when his innate abilities started manifesting the first signs of having a great mind and unusual research abilities. He studied classics, mathematics, drawings, and perspective. Educated at home, he had entered the University of Cracow seeking a degree in the medical profession. But his aptitude for mathematics and natural philosophy had kept simmering. Nicolaus’ involvement in these subjects led him to yet another subject. He became an expert draughtsman. His natural bent of mind was towards books and absorbing Latin and Greek, like a sponge does water. Little else is known of his youth except that he seemed always to have been of a sober nature..[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus Nicolai de Thorunia was matriculated in Krakow in 1491, in both arts and medicine. He was able to set himself up in Rome as an erudite mathematician and astronomer. Soon his genius and intellectual abilities were honored when he was offered the chair of mathematics in the University of Rome. But Nicolaus did not continue long with this new position. His Uncle Lucas Watzelrode, Bishop of Ermeland realized the abilities of Nicolaus, and offered him the canonry of the Cathedral at Frauenburg.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus now needed some preparation for the successful fulfillment of this trust. With this view, he entered the medical department of the University of Padua and remained there till 1505. Later on, he stationed himself at the palace of Heilsberg for further preliminary service as the Bishop’s private physician. Here he found life a bed of thorns. His 'Pull’ was envied by many people and they did all in their power to make matters worse for the aspiring prebendary. But his love of peaceful solitude, and his unquestioned scholarship found him in the supreme possession of the canonry.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus perfectly tuned himself to his new work balancing his time, during day to devotional exercise and diligent performances of his divine duties, to charitably tending the poor in need of medical attention and to the pursuance of his hobby – astronomy and philosophical meditation.[br /]
[br /]
The influence of Copernicus among his parishioners was such that he was frequently called upon for advice on affairs of the State. Though he never went out of his way to seek political honors, he was always ready and willing to give from his treasure of wisdom and learning for the benefit of his country. One more piece of evidence reveals the influence of Copernicus on the State. It so happened that once, when many wars shook the financial standards and the question of money was not satisfactorily settled, a committee of senators was appointed to investigate affairs. But the committee was not able to cope with the problem and it, in turn, appealed to Copernicus to resolve the problem.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus, without hesitating, at once took up the gigantic task and worked out a plan, reducing to a definite standard the large sums of money then in circulation in the provinces of the Kingdom. He also put out a valuable circular on money. His pamphlet was soon published, and his plan immediately accepted by the senate, which appreciatively inserted it in their public acts.[br /]
[br /]
The modern day observatory, a traveling telescope was mounted in such a way that it could swing only on the plane of the meridian and so in every 24 hours, all stars could cross its path, helping it in determining certain astronomical data. Copernicus had no such instrument then. In fact, there was no telescope of any kind, as the invention of telescope occurred some 75 years after his demise. For Copernicus the saying, necessity is the mother of invention was very much true. Further, his mind was quite adept at coping with the problem. By cutting slits in the walls of his observation room, and positioning himself, Copernicus noted the transit of the stars across a prescribed meridian. Further he devised a quadrant and successfully measured the attitude of various stars above the horizon.[br /]
[br /]
From his early childhood Copernicus was interested in the movements of planets, and the tables which he compiled were accounted as the best of his times, and are still helpful in astronomical studies. Copernicus minutely studied the planet Mars. He was much impressed by the natural brightness and magnitude of this planet at different times. Nicolaus turned to the Ptolemic system to understand this strange heavenly body better. According to the Ptolemic system, the earth is fixed and immovable, while the planets, sun, moon, and stars, revolved around imaginary points which in turn revolved round the earth in a circular path better known as deferent circle. The more Copernicus thought about this complex puzzle, the more curious he became. He was yet not satisfied with the conventional system and beliefs regarding astronomy. He pondered, as to why has nature, which always worked by the simplest of methods, adopted such an intricately designed scheme of circles ? Had Copernicus not been so deeply religious, like Alphonso X, the king of the Castle, he would have given some useful hints to God, if consulted at the time of creation.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus, unconvinced by the Ptolemic theory, turned to the records of science for support of what he considered to be the real facts of the case; that the sun and not the earth was the center of our solar system, and the rotation of the earth on its axis caused day and night. The revolution of the earth around the sun brought about the change of seasons. This theory was not one that was new, as some 2000 years ago, a Greek philosopher named Pythagoras had stated that the sun was at the center of the planetary system. One of his followers, Aristotle, who lived some 400 years before Ptolemy opined that the rotation of earth resulted into the diurnal motion of the heavens. However, Aristotle and Ptolemy’s theories emerged as accepted due to their popularity provision of necessary proofs in their times. They further contrived to get their own firm beliefs backed by the Roman Church. According to Ptolemy, it was preposterous to think of the earth in rotation. If this was true, the rush of atmosphere would sweep men off the surface with its inhabitants. Copernicus thought about the above phenomenon as if a man carries his overcoat. Besides this it was easier for earth, along with the other planets, to revolve round the sun, than for the whole system of intricate circles to revolve round the earth. Moreover, Nicolaus imagined the earth to be revolving in an orbit between Venus and Mars. If his supposition were correct, Nicolaus thought Venus and Mercury should exhibit phases like moon. But this point was proved only after Galileo invented telescope. Galileo’s telescope clinched the Copernican theory beyond doubt.[br /]
[br /]
However, its not known how long Copernicus was satisfied by his theory before he communicated it to others. But one thing is sure that it was very difficult for him to break the ‘circle-worship’ of the old philosophers. Besides this, he had no authority to voice an opinion contrary to the Church and all conventional beliefs. However, his opinion leaked out and men of science flocked to Frauenburg to learn the truth. They all went back satisfied stating Copernicus was true beyond doubt.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus was still not ready to put forward his theory in public for the benefit of the world at large. The biggest obstacle was undoubtedly the Church and the loyalty of Copernicus to it. Moreover, he always avoided arguments and controversies and had yet a small heart, not strong enough to face the big stigma attached to heresy. Copernicus also knew that he was true as was his theory that was based on supposition and it was difficult to prove his theory only on the base of a diagram of the sun and planetary system. Copernicus was confused by the epicycles. In his days, it was thought that all motions must be compounded of circular ones, and it was difficult for him to understand Ptolemy’s idea of deferent circle. Kepler in the next century made a clean sweep of the complicated system of circles and substituted it by the simple ellipse.[br /]
[br /]
The potentiality of the achievement of Copernicus was that he served to put the earth in its proper place in the cosmic scheme of things. Before him, nobody had succeeded in establishing the belief, even though they had one opinion, that the sun was the center of all things.[br /]
[br /]
The Revolution of the Celestial Orbs, the book by Copernicus truly brought a revolution. The explanation of his theory in the book ushered in this great dawn. But the publication of the book was possible only after 13 years and that too by the efforts of his young friend and pupil, Rheticus, who won much distinction by aptly editing the book. Nicolaus, however was not fortunate enough to see the published version of his work. When the first copy was on its way to the author, a paralytic stroke laid him down and the book, the fruits of his long struggle filled life, reached just a few hours before his death. He was then in his 70th year. Such was the irony of fate. Copernicus, who was now beyond the power of the church, left behind a masterly place in the form of a "dedicatory note" to Pope Paul III, which was pleasantly received by him.[br /]
[br /]
"If there be some who, though ignorant of all mathematics, take upon them to judge of there, and dare to reprove this work, because of some passage of scripture, which they have miserably warped to their purpose, I regard them not, and even despise their rash judgment… what I have done in this matter, I submit principally to your Holiness, and then to the judgment of all learned mathematicians. And that I may not seem to promise your Holiness more concerning the utility of this work than I am able to perform, I pass now to the work itself."
[br /]
[br /]
The work, however, seems to be "much of error, unsound reasoning and happy conjecture", surprising the scientists of today. Kepler, Galileo and Newton rectified the blunders and modified the general theory.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus was laid to rest in the Cathedral of Frauenburg and his service was so little that his great discovery did not find a place even on his tombstone and indeed not until 30 years thereafter, was any memorial erected in his memory.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus Copernicus, a man who created history through his discovery, was born on February 19, 1473, in the town of Thorn on the Prussian frontier. His father, Niclas was a successful tradesman. His mother was sister of the Bishop of Ermland. Of the four children the oldest and youngest, Andreas and Nicolaus, adopted the clerical career, and one of his sisters became a Cistercian nun and Abbess of Culm, and his younger sister got married. The whole family belonged to the Third Order of St. Dominic. Nicolaus was hardly ten years old when his father died. His uncle, Lucas, however, took charge of the children and gave the boys a university training.[br /]
[br /]
The fact that his uncle was the Bishop of Ermland was something that proved advantageous to Nicolaus during his manhood when his innate abilities started manifesting the first signs of having a great mind and unusual research abilities. He studied classics, mathematics, drawings, and perspective. Educated at home, he had entered the University of Cracow seeking a degree in the medical profession. But his aptitude for mathematics and natural philosophy had kept simmering. Nicolaus’ involvement in these subjects led him to yet another subject. He became an expert draughtsman. His natural bent of mind was towards books and absorbing Latin and Greek, like a sponge does water. Little else is known of his youth except that he seemed always to have been of a sober nature..[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus Nicolai de Thorunia was matriculated in Krakow in 1491, in both arts and medicine. He was able to set himself up in Rome as an erudite mathematician and astronomer. Soon his genius and intellectual abilities were honored when he was offered the chair of mathematics in the University of Rome. But Nicolaus did not continue long with this new position. His Uncle Lucas Watzelrode, Bishop of Ermeland realized the abilities of Nicolaus, and offered him the canonry of the Cathedral at Frauenburg.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus now needed some preparation for the successful fulfillment of this trust. With this view, he entered the medical department of the University of Padua and remained there till 1505. Later on, he stationed himself at the palace of Heilsberg for further preliminary service as the Bishop’s private physician. Here he found life a bed of thorns. His 'Pull’ was envied by many people and they did all in their power to make matters worse for the aspiring prebendary. But his love of peaceful solitude, and his unquestioned scholarship found him in the supreme possession of the canonry.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus perfectly tuned himself to his new work balancing his time, during day to devotional exercise and diligent performances of his divine duties, to charitably tending the poor in need of medical attention and to the pursuance of his hobby – astronomy and philosophical meditation.[br /]
[br /]
The influence of Copernicus among his parishioners was such that he was frequently called upon for advice on affairs of the State. Though he never went out of his way to seek political honors, he was always ready and willing to give from his treasure of wisdom and learning for the benefit of his country. One more piece of evidence reveals the influence of Copernicus on the State. It so happened that once, when many wars shook the financial standards and the question of money was not satisfactorily settled, a committee of senators was appointed to investigate affairs. But the committee was not able to cope with the problem and it, in turn, appealed to Copernicus to resolve the problem.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus, without hesitating, at once took up the gigantic task and worked out a plan, reducing to a definite standard the large sums of money then in circulation in the provinces of the Kingdom. He also put out a valuable circular on money. His pamphlet was soon published, and his plan immediately accepted by the senate, which appreciatively inserted it in their public acts.[br /]
[br /]
The modern day observatory, a traveling telescope was mounted in such a way that it could swing only on the plane of the meridian and so in every 24 hours, all stars could cross its path, helping it in determining certain astronomical data. Copernicus had no such instrument then. In fact, there was no telescope of any kind, as the invention of telescope occurred some 75 years after his demise. For Copernicus the saying, necessity is the mother of invention was very much true. Further, his mind was quite adept at coping with the problem. By cutting slits in the walls of his observation room, and positioning himself, Copernicus noted the transit of the stars across a prescribed meridian. Further he devised a quadrant and successfully measured the attitude of various stars above the horizon.[br /]
[br /]
From his early childhood Copernicus was interested in the movements of planets, and the tables which he compiled were accounted as the best of his times, and are still helpful in astronomical studies. Copernicus minutely studied the planet Mars. He was much impressed by the natural brightness and magnitude of this planet at different times. Nicolaus turned to the Ptolemic system to understand this strange heavenly body better. According to the Ptolemic system, the earth is fixed and immovable, while the planets, sun, moon, and stars, revolved around imaginary points which in turn revolved round the earth in a circular path better known as deferent circle. The more Copernicus thought about this complex puzzle, the more curious he became. He was yet not satisfied with the conventional system and beliefs regarding astronomy. He pondered, as to why has nature, which always worked by the simplest of methods, adopted such an intricately designed scheme of circles ? Had Copernicus not been so deeply religious, like Alphonso X, the king of the Castle, he would have given some useful hints to God, if consulted at the time of creation.[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus, unconvinced by the Ptolemic theory, turned to the records of science for support of what he considered to be the real facts of the case; that the sun and not the earth was the center of our solar system, and the rotation of the earth on its axis caused day and night. The revolution of the earth around the sun brought about the change of seasons. This theory was not one that was new, as some 2000 years ago, a Greek philosopher named Pythagoras had stated that the sun was at the center of the planetary system. One of his followers, Aristotle, who lived some 400 years before Ptolemy opined that the rotation of earth resulted into the diurnal motion of the heavens. However, Aristotle and Ptolemy’s theories emerged as accepted due to their popularity provision of necessary proofs in their times. They further contrived to get their own firm beliefs backed by the Roman Church. According to Ptolemy, it was preposterous to think of the earth in rotation. If this was true, the rush of atmosphere would sweep men off the surface with its inhabitants. Copernicus thought about the above phenomenon as if a man carries his overcoat. Besides this it was easier for earth, along with the other planets, to revolve round the sun, than for the whole system of intricate circles to revolve round the earth. Moreover, Nicolaus imagined the earth to be revolving in an orbit between Venus and Mars. If his supposition were correct, Nicolaus thought Venus and Mercury should exhibit phases like moon. But this point was proved only after Galileo invented telescope. Galileo’s telescope clinched the Copernican theory beyond doubt.[br /]
[br /]
However, its not known how long Copernicus was satisfied by his theory before he communicated it to others. But one thing is sure that it was very difficult for him to break the ‘circle-worship’ of the old philosophers. Besides this, he had no authority to voice an opinion contrary to the Church and all conventional beliefs. However, his opinion leaked out and men of science flocked to Frauenburg to learn the truth. They all went back satisfied stating Copernicus was true beyond doubt.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus was still not ready to put forward his theory in public for the benefit of the world at large. The biggest obstacle was undoubtedly the Church and the loyalty of Copernicus to it. Moreover, he always avoided arguments and controversies and had yet a small heart, not strong enough to face the big stigma attached to heresy. Copernicus also knew that he was true as was his theory that was based on supposition and it was difficult to prove his theory only on the base of a diagram of the sun and planetary system. Copernicus was confused by the epicycles. In his days, it was thought that all motions must be compounded of circular ones, and it was difficult for him to understand Ptolemy’s idea of deferent circle. Kepler in the next century made a clean sweep of the complicated system of circles and substituted it by the simple ellipse.[br /]
[br /]
The potentiality of the achievement of Copernicus was that he served to put the earth in its proper place in the cosmic scheme of things. Before him, nobody had succeeded in establishing the belief, even though they had one opinion, that the sun was the center of all things.[br /]
[br /]
The Revolution of the Celestial Orbs, the book by Copernicus truly brought a revolution. The explanation of his theory in the book ushered in this great dawn. But the publication of the book was possible only after 13 years and that too by the efforts of his young friend and pupil, Rheticus, who won much distinction by aptly editing the book. Nicolaus, however was not fortunate enough to see the published version of his work. When the first copy was on its way to the author, a paralytic stroke laid him down and the book, the fruits of his long struggle filled life, reached just a few hours before his death. He was then in his 70th year. Such was the irony of fate. Copernicus, who was now beyond the power of the church, left behind a masterly place in the form of a "dedicatory note" to Pope Paul III, which was pleasantly received by him.[br /]
[br /]
"If there be some who, though ignorant of all mathematics, take upon them to judge of there, and dare to reprove this work, because of some passage of scripture, which they have miserably warped to their purpose, I regard them not, and even despise their rash judgment… what I have done in this matter, I submit principally to your Holiness, and then to the judgment of all learned mathematicians. And that I may not seem to promise your Holiness more concerning the utility of this work than I am able to perform, I pass now to the work itself."
[br /]
[br /]
The work, however, seems to be "much of error, unsound reasoning and happy conjecture", surprising the scientists of today. Kepler, Galileo and Newton rectified the blunders and modified the general theory.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus was laid to rest in the Cathedral of Frauenburg and his service was so little that his great discovery did not find a place even on his tombstone and indeed not until 30 years thereafter, was any memorial erected in his memory.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Nicolaus Copernicus, born in Thorn, Poland, was a cleric, a canon lawyer, and a physician; by inclination. In spite of poor eyesight, he was an established portrait painter, an astute astronomer, a great mathematician, and finally destined to become, one of the seminal figures in the history of science through his heliocentric doctrine.[br /]
[br /]
The proclamation and proof of his discovery ushered a new era of philosophical belief. The world today gains significant insight from his teachings today and even generations to come shall always benefit from the accomplishments from this humble man who lived a life of solitude in the monastery garden of Frauenberg some four centuries ago.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
The proclamation and proof of his discovery ushered a new era of philosophical belief. The world today gains significant insight from his teachings today and even generations to come shall always benefit from the accomplishments from this humble man who lived a life of solitude in the monastery garden of Frauenberg some four centuries ago.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[b]1473[/b] Copernicus was born at Thorn, in Poland.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1491[/b] Registered at the University of Cracow.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1494[/b] Left Cracow and returned to Prussia.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1499[/b] Acquired the degree of M.A.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1500[/b] Left Bologna for Rome.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1503[/b] Left Padua for Ferrara for attending the doctorate degree of the canonical (Church).[br /]
[br /]
[b]1504[/b] Began his activity in the bischoeflichen residence in welfare mountain.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1507[/b] Started working for Commentariolus.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1511[/b] Became chancellor of cathedral section.
Helped to reform calendar.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1514[/b] Began De Revolutionibus and also began his activity as governor.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1530[/b] Completed De Revolutionibus[br /]
[br /]
[b]1535[/b] Gave the yearbook for the spread of the astronomical boards.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1539[/b] Met George Rheticus who helped his work to reach the printing press, De Revolutionaries.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1543[/b] First printed copy of De Revolutionibus brought to the dying Copernicus, who had lost consciousness. He died few hours later.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[b]1491[/b] Registered at the University of Cracow.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1494[/b] Left Cracow and returned to Prussia.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1499[/b] Acquired the degree of M.A.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1500[/b] Left Bologna for Rome.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1503[/b] Left Padua for Ferrara for attending the doctorate degree of the canonical (Church).[br /]
[br /]
[b]1504[/b] Began his activity in the bischoeflichen residence in welfare mountain.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1507[/b] Started working for Commentariolus.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1511[/b] Became chancellor of cathedral section.
Helped to reform calendar.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1514[/b] Began De Revolutionibus and also began his activity as governor.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1530[/b] Completed De Revolutionibus[br /]
[br /]
[b]1535[/b] Gave the yearbook for the spread of the astronomical boards.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1539[/b] Met George Rheticus who helped his work to reach the printing press, De Revolutionaries.[br /]
[br /]
[b]1543[/b] First printed copy of De Revolutionibus brought to the dying Copernicus, who had lost consciousness. He died few hours later.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
It is impossible to deduce simply by observation with the naked eye, that the earth and planets revolve round the sun. While others only speculated, Copernicus proved through titanic calculations that the heliocentric hypothesis was the simplest and most convincing explanation of the observed revolution of the heavenly bodies. His "modern astronomy," protesting the long accepted complicated astronomical system of Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer of the 2nd century A.D., was summoned up in his great scientific work; The Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies. [br /]
[br /]
Earlier in 1514, when Copernicus was pondering over the problems of astronomy and the heliocentric system in particular, he outlined his thoughts in a short manuscript known as the Commentariolus (small commentary) and the first outline of those arguments eventually substantiated in Derevolutionibus orbium Coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, 1543.) The arguments contained in the work challenged the geocentric cosmology that had been dogmatically accepted since time of Aristotle. Copernicus postulated that, if the sun is assumed to be at rest and if the Earth is assumed to be in motion, then the remaining planets fall into an orderly relationship and accordingly their sidereal periods increase from the Sun as follows : Mercury (88 days), Venus (225 days), Earth (1 year), Mars (1-9 years), Jupiter (12 years), and Saturn (30 years). Though the theory resolved the dispute about the ordering of the planets, it raised new problems in turn. If such a theory was true then the Aristotelian natural philosophy was wrong and also an explanation was needed as to why heavenly bodies fall on to the moving Earth.[br /]
[br /]
Another question, which comes to mind is how a transient body like the Earth, filled with meteorological phenomena, pestilence and wars can be a part of a perfect and imperishable heaven. Apart from this, Copernicus could not clarify many other observations. Also the one on which he was working was inherited from antiquity.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus knew that he could not definitively rule out all possible alternatives to the heliocentric theory. But the least he could was to underline what his theory provided, which others could not, a singular method for ordering the planets and for calculating the relative distance of the planets from the Sun.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Earlier in 1514, when Copernicus was pondering over the problems of astronomy and the heliocentric system in particular, he outlined his thoughts in a short manuscript known as the Commentariolus (small commentary) and the first outline of those arguments eventually substantiated in Derevolutionibus orbium Coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, 1543.) The arguments contained in the work challenged the geocentric cosmology that had been dogmatically accepted since time of Aristotle. Copernicus postulated that, if the sun is assumed to be at rest and if the Earth is assumed to be in motion, then the remaining planets fall into an orderly relationship and accordingly their sidereal periods increase from the Sun as follows : Mercury (88 days), Venus (225 days), Earth (1 year), Mars (1-9 years), Jupiter (12 years), and Saturn (30 years). Though the theory resolved the dispute about the ordering of the planets, it raised new problems in turn. If such a theory was true then the Aristotelian natural philosophy was wrong and also an explanation was needed as to why heavenly bodies fall on to the moving Earth.[br /]
[br /]
Another question, which comes to mind is how a transient body like the Earth, filled with meteorological phenomena, pestilence and wars can be a part of a perfect and imperishable heaven. Apart from this, Copernicus could not clarify many other observations. Also the one on which he was working was inherited from antiquity.[br /]
[br /]
Copernicus knew that he could not definitively rule out all possible alternatives to the heliocentric theory. But the least he could was to underline what his theory provided, which others could not, a singular method for ordering the planets and for calculating the relative distance of the planets from the Sun.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
• Mathematics is written for mathematics.[br /]
[br /]
• If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority of some passage of Scripture wrested to their purpose, to condemn and censure my hypothesis, I value them not and scorn their inconsiderate judgement.[br /]
[br /]
• Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe. All this is suggested by the systematic procession of events and the harmony of the whole Universe, if only we face the facts, as they say, ‘with both eyes open’.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
• If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority of some passage of Scripture wrested to their purpose, to condemn and censure my hypothesis, I value them not and scorn their inconsiderate judgement.[br /]
[br /]
• Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe. All this is suggested by the systematic procession of events and the harmony of the whole Universe, if only we face the facts, as they say, ‘with both eyes open’.[br /]
[br /]
[br /]
Not Available
