Born February 19, 1473 in Torun, a town under Polish crown. Went to live with uncle Lucas Watzenrode, who became bishop of Warmia after father’s death Studied mathematics, medicine, canon law at the universities Cracow, Bologna, Rome, Padua, and Ferrara.

Copernicus's uncle arranged an election for him as canon of the chapter of Frombork Due to his involvement in the church, Copernicus delayed publication of his ideas. Between 1510 and 1514 he wrote an essay that introduced his new idea of the heliocentric universe

During Copernicus’ time Aristotle’s ideas of the geocentric system were followed by some Greek astronomers. During Copernicus’ time Aristotle’s ideas of the geocentric system were followed by some Greek astronomers. Pythagoreans believed the earth moved around a central fire that was not the sun. Pythagoreans believed the earth moved around a central fire that was not the sun. Copernicus was not the first to support the heliocentric system theory, but he was the first to include a complete system that combined mathematics, physics, and cosmology. Copernicus was not the first to support the heliocentric system theory, but he was the first to include a complete system that combined mathematics, physics, and cosmology.

His only astronomical writings were the Letter against Werner, On the Revolutions, and Commentariolus

Stated the earth is only the center of gravity and center of the moon's orbit. All the spheres encircle the sun Universe is larger than it was believed to be Earth's distance to sun is extremely small in comparison to size of the universe Movement of sky and sun due to Earth’s movement Never published during Copernicus's lifetime

Overall Copernicus’ writings and contributions to astronomy and society as a whole were very important. Although he was not the first to come up with the idea of a heliocentric system, he was the first to combine mathematics, physics and cosmology to support his model. Even if his contributions are not seen as revolutionary, they were in fact a large factor in the advancement of astronomy and the view of the universe and space.

REFERENCES Copernicus.html Copernicus.html astronomers-in-history-a-biography-of- nicolaus-copernicus.html astronomers-in-history-a-biography-of- nicolaus-copernicus.html