The Science Mouse

A portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus from the early 16th century. Image courtesy http://wikipedia.org

Nicolaus Copernicus is known as the Father of Modern Astronomy. His idea that the earth revolves around the sun was not very popular, but it was very important. He was called a “fool” by church leaders, but they did not know that God made the solar system to revolve around the sun.

Copernicus was born February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland. He was the youngest of four children. His father was a copper trader and his mother was an aristocrat. When his father died, his uncle became a father figure to him.

He was a very educated man. Copernicus studied canon law and medicine but his uncle hoped he would become a bishop in the church. Both of their plans changed when he met da Ferrara, a famous astronomer.  He became his assistant. He continued his studies in medicine and canon and received his doctorate degree in 1503.

The heliocentric model of the solar system which appeared in Copernicus' book, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" Image courtesy http://wikipedia.org

When he returned home after studying abroad, he worked in the church, practiced medicine and studied astronomy. He began to question the idea of his day, that the earth was the center of the universe. He calculated a theory that the earth actually revolves around the sun. He could not prove it. Telescopes would not be invented until fifty years after he died. He also believed that the earth rotates on an axis and that it affects the star patterns we see.

His ideas were not very popular in the church. They thought Scripture said the earth is the center and they thought he was a heretic. John Calvin and Martin Luther, leaders of the Reformation, wrote mean things about him, calling him a fool. But he stuck to his answer and believed he was right. Today we know that he was.

Sophia Hawthorne is 8 years old and learns at home with her sister and two brothers. She loves to write. Her favorite color is blue. When she grows up she wants to be an author and a ballerina.  Visit her Etsy shop, My Sister and Me!