Throughout the history of astronomical theory, there have been two main theories on the setup and placement of the heavenly bodies within our observed universe. The two theories are the geocentric model, our earliest theory, wherein the earth is at the center of everything, and everything rotates ar...

In the late 1400's to the mid 1500's, people believed that the earth was the center of the universe. Ptolemy stated that the Earth was stationary and that the sun, moon, planets, and stars revolved around imaginary points, which in turn revolved around the Earth. Copernicus knew that natu...

Aristarchus was not just a man of astronomy. He was also actively involved in mathematics as well as astronomy. He used his knowledge in both fields to discover great advances in the astronomy world like the fact that the earth rotates on its own axis and that the sun is in a fixed position and...

What is the shape of the universe? Brahe's model of the universe can be explained best with this model below. (p.409, Dictionary of Scientific Biography) In this model, Brahe describes the universe with the earth at the center. The sun orbits the earth while the other planets revolv...

Galileo "Since (as I believe) the opinion of Copernicus that Venus revolves about the sun is correct, it is clear that she would necessarily be seen by us sometimes horned and sometimes not, although the said planet is at equal distances from the Sun, at those times, that is, when the s...

WHY DO COLORS FADE? THE EFFECT OF SUNLIGHT ON COLOR Color is light. Light is a form of energy and, according to theory, travels in waves. Sir Isaac Newton discovered this in 1666 by passing a beam of light through a prism. The renowned English scientist was 23 years old at the time. He was made t...

On February 19, 1473 Nicolaus Copernicus was born, destined to be one of the most influential men in scientific history. Throughout his years, Copernicus has contributed many thoughts to science. The Autograph De Revolutionibus, preserved in the Jagiellonian Library, is a result of work of the great...

THE BEGINNING OF ASTRONOMYEarly races believed that the earth was flat and stationary, with the sky rotating round it once a day. The early races also believed things that sound weird to us today like the Vedic priests of India believed that the earth was supported upon 12 massive pillars and during...

THE BEGINNING OF ASTRONOMYEarly races believed that the earth was flat and stationary, with the sky rotating round it once a day. The early races also believed things that sound weird to us today like the Vedic priests of India believed that the earth was supported upon 12 massive pillars and during...