Copernicus, 1540

The shift from a geocentric model of the solar system to a heliocentric one was a major shift in the history of astronomy and our planet. For years, other ancient civilizations used the geocentric model. While all of the science to prove it was right at the fingertips of the people, the new idea of the sun being in the center of the system was a very new concept and one that went against the beliefs of many people during that time period. Copernicus was the hero (or villain, depending on your religion) of the century and was able to theorize and research the new heliocentric model.  Eventually, the proof outweighed the prior theory and society began to recognize the sun as the center.

Although the shift was merely from one theory to another, the steps that it went through to fully become what we understand it to be today was much more complicated than letting go of an old belief system that was very profoundly proven wrong.

The geocentric system was first thought up by Ptolemy around the second century. No one ever thought to challenge it until Copernicus came about in the 16th century. He published a book about his theory that the sun was in the center of the solar system, which did not go over very well. Unfortunately, he died the same day his book was published and left all of the backlashes to his followers and people who were going to continue on his work. As his work was continued, the Catholic Church began to oppose it more and more, as it went against their beliefs and the words of the Bible. They believed that God created the universe, and when he did so, he did so perfectly. In order for the universe to be perfect, the Earth must be in the center and the planets must have a circular orbit. Eventually, his theory was proven and there was enough evidence that everyone believed it, even the Catholic church.

Today, there are people that believe the Earth is flat. Despite what society learned from the scientific advancement of heliocentrism, people still challenged proven scientific research. They are somewhat like the Catholic church was when there was a shift to heliocentrism; even though there was plenty of evidence to prove otherwise, they refused to believe science. And to those people, we are able to share this example as a little bit of proof that it’s okay to doubt science, but it usually isn’t wrong.