Copernican System Collection

Copernican worldview, 1708
Copernican worldview. This is plate 5 from the 1708 edition of the star atlas Harmonica Macrocosmica by the Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius (1596-1665)

Copernican (heliocentric / Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1708
Copernican (heliocentric/Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1761. Illustration showing ecliptic and the orbit of the Earth and the planets

Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer, (1660-1661). Artist: Andreas Cellarius
Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer, (1660-1661). Detail from a map showing the Copernican system of planetary orbits (the Planisphaerium Copernicanum )

Andreas Osiander, 16th century German Lutheran theologian, 17th century. Osiander (1498-1552) was Professor of Theology at Konigsberg

Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, weighing and comparing systems of the universe, 1651. She is depicted giving greater weight to Tycho Brahes system, right, than to that of Copernicus

Copernican sun-centred (heliocentric) system of the universe, 1708. This shows the orbit of the Moon round the Earth, and the orbits of the Earth and planets round the Sun

Copernicus heliocentric model of the Universe, 1543. Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) is considered to be the father of modern astronomy and founder of heliocentric cosmology

Title page of Copernicus De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, 1543. Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) is considered to be the father of modern astronomy

Copernican (heliocentric / Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1761
Copernican (heliocentric/Sun-centred) system of the Universe, 1761. Illustration showing the orbits of the planets around the Sun. The orbits of the moons of Earth, Jupiter and Saturn are also shown

Galileo presenting his telescope to the Muses, 1655-56
Galileo presenting his telescope to the Muses, and pointing out a heliocentric system. Note Jupiter and its satellites, the phases of Venus, and the triple nature of Saturn

Galileos diagram of the Copernican system of the universe, (1632). Artist: Galileo Galilei
Galileos diagram of the Copernican (heliocentric) system of the universe. Also showing his own discovery, the four satellites (moons) of Jupiter. From Galileo Galilei Dialogo, Florence, 1632

Copernican planisphere, 1708
Copernican planisphere. This is plate 4 from the 1708 edition of the star atlas Harmonica Macrocosmica by the Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius (1596-1665)

Nicolas Copernicus, Polish astronomer
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), Polish astronomer, mathematician, physician and jurist. Despite his numerous responsibilities and interests

Cosmologies of Copernicus and Tycho
Comparing Solar System Models of Kopernikus and Tycho Brahe, printed in 1744 in France. Kopernikus sat the sun into the center, Tycho the Earth

Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Italian astronomer and physicist. Galileo was the first to successfully use a telescope to observe the heavens, discovering new stars, mountains on the Moon

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The Copernican system, also known as the heliocentric or Sun-centered system of the Universe, revolutionized our understanding of celestial bodies. Proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer in 1543, this groundbreaking worldview challenged the prevailing belief that Earth was at the center of the cosmos. In 1660, Andreas Cellarius depicted the movements of Earth in relation to the sun in his engraving from Harmonia Macrocosmica. This representation visually captured Copernicus' revolutionary idea and showcased how our planet orbits around the central star. Galileo Galilei further championed this concept with his publication "Dialogue concerning two chief world systems" in 1632. The title page of this influential work highlighted both Ptolemaic and Copernican models side by side, emphasizing their stark differences. Andreas Osiander, a German Lutheran theologian from the 16th century, played a significant role in promoting Copernican ideas. His support helped pave the way for wider acceptance and understanding of this new cosmological perspective. Urania, often portrayed as Muse of Astronomy weighing and comparing various systems of the universe in artworks like "Urania Weighing Systems, " symbolizes humanity's quest for knowledge about our place within it all. Her presence represents how astronomers throughout history have critically examined different models to unravel cosmic mysteries. Over time, more scientific advancements reinforced and refined Copernicus' heliocentric model. In 1708 and again in 1761, publications reaffirmed its significance as they presented updated versions based on accumulating evidence. The legacy left behind by Nicolaus Copernicus continues to inspire scientists today. His De revolutionibus orbium coelestium published in 1543 remains an iconic milestone that forever changed our perception of space and paved the way for future astronomical discoveries.