FREE Printables and Resources About Nicolaus Copernicus

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Are you studying about famous people in the Renaissance era? Make sure that you don’t miss out on learning about this famous mathematician and astronomer. Nicolaus Copernicus is known as the initiator of the Scientific Revolution and so much can be learned while studying about him.

This post is part of the Famous Scientists Series

Initiator of the Scientific Revolution:

Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the sun was stationary in the center of the universe and the earth revolved around it. This is known as the heliocentric model or heliocentric theory. This was an unproved theory in the time that he was living. He challenged another famous scientist; Ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe. At the time, his questioning of the astronomy beliefs of that day as well as his heliocentric idea was pretty controversial. It was also brand new and never heard of.

I love that he was so willing to challenge and question ideas. That really did put him in quite a tough position in the time that the lived in. Copernicus fought hard for what he believed in, even though he didn’t have the ability to prove his theory. It really is a great lesson that can be learned and taught to our children as you are learning about this scientific pioneer. His thoughts and ideas challenged others to prove that what he believed was true. He really did initiate the beginning of the Scientific Revolution!

Biography of Nicolaus Copernicus:

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Thorn, Poland on February 19, 1473. He was the son of a very wealthy merchant. His father died when he was ten years old. He was raised by his uncle, a bishop in the Catholic church. He studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Krakow. Then he went on to study law and medicine at the universities of Bologna, Padua, and Ferrara in Italy. Copernicus lived in the home of a mathematics professor while studying at the University of Bologna. This professor is who influenced him to question the astronomy beliefs of the day.

His observations of the heavens were made with the naked eye. 50 years before Galileo discovered and invented the telescope! He did not have the tools needed to prove this theories. These would be proven true later with more discoveries and famous astronomers to follow. He died on May 24, 1543.

Read a full biography of his life and his works at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Nicolaus Copernicus Biography at Biography.com

Nicolaus Copernicus Biography for kids – Kids Brittanica

Are you learning about astronomy in your science studies, or the Renaissance time period in history? If so, you will enjoy learning about this famous scientist. Check out our round up of free printables and resources about Nicolaus Copernicus!