3

Copernican model: an alternative model

! Universe: eight spheres (crystalline)

! Fixed stars (motionless eighth sphere)

Fixed sun at center

Philolaus (c. 480–385 BCE) described an astronomical

! system in which a Central Fire (different from the Sun)
occupied the centre of the universe
!
Heraclides Ponticus (387–312 BCE) proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis.
Aristarchus of Samos (310 BCE – c. 230 BCE) identified the "central
!
fire" with the Sun, around which he had the Earth orbiting.
Some technical details of Copernicus's system closely
! resembled those developed earlier by the Islamic astronomers

! Revolving planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth,

Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

! Moon revolves the Earth.

1542, Nurenberg 1566 1617

! Earth rotates on its own axis. comments from: wikipedia.org

1 2 3

4 5 6

Copernican model: an alternative model Final rejection to the Copernican model Theological / philosophical grounds

•The Earth should be different from other

Difficulties in acceptance:
planets since it should be in a special place in
! Theological / philosophical: minor
• Model is largely against existing the universe (Giordano Bruno’s “heresies”).

biblical interpretations (theologians).

๏Other planets will not be perfect (domain issue)

! Physical / Scientific (stellar parallax, breeze,

spin, chariots to pull earth): major
• Current physical foundations does ๏Other “earthly beings” must exist (questions arise)

Model is weak against current model.

not support the model !

(mensuration), yet. •Heliocentric model would lead to Sun

worship.

image: bookweb.kinokuniya.co.jp

4 5 6

7 8 9

Physical grounds Physical grounds Physical grounds

1. Stellar parallax is not observed since 2. Apparent size of stars does not change
constellations do not disarrange. 3. Violated expectations of the Aristotelian
physics prevalent in his time:

‣ Breeze at thousands of miles per hour

‣ Falling motion should not be simpler

‣ Spinning earth would fly apart

‣ Unimaginable amount of force would be required to keep Earth

moving

www.opencourse.info

The size of stars does not change the whole year!

image: www.fullingtontours.com images: northport.k12.ny.us, www.umassd.edu

7 8 9
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Physical grounds, summary Obstacles for acceptance of a heliocentric model

of universe
1. Stellar parallax

2. Stars do not change size

1. Gross discrepancy with observations.

3. Inconsistency with Aristotelian physics

2. Philosophical objections.

‣ Breeze
3. Inconsistency with Aristotelian physics.
‣ Simple falling motion

‣ Spinning earth dilemma

‣ Required force to move earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XceEjrQkt1o!
Universe : 1/14 : Beyond Big Bang : 1/7 : Copernicus
11

10 11 12

14 15

National Institute of Physics Objectives

!
Physics 10

• Cite advances in astronomy and physics

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Johnrob Y. Bantang, PhD

jybantang@up.edu.ph National Institute of Physics

College of Science, UP Diliman 200 BC 0 AD 200 AD 1400 1600 1800 2000
Instrumentation Physics Laboratory Group
National Institute of Physics
College of Science University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Diliman, Quezon City
1517: Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Thesis (Wittenberg)

IPL-Complex Quezon City 1101

1521: Magellan discovered the Philippines
13 14 15

16 Unexpected appearance of a new star

Topics
Unexpected appearance

Increased support for research
• Unexpected appearance of new star
of a new star (1572)
• Improved research facilities

• Laws of planetary motion

Impressed by Tycho’s
observation in 1572,
• Erasing theological objections Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)
construction of research
facilities were financed
by King Frederick II
(Denmark and Norway) and later
emperor Rudolf II (Roman
Remnants of Tycho’s supernova Empire).
Tycho Brahe’s notes about a “nova stella” Now named: SN 1572
(11 November 1572) Imaged in X-ray

Brahe’s notes: www.seds.org; X-ray image: US Federal work; www.nndb.com 17 www.geocentricity.com 18

16 17 18
 Improved research facilities Improved research facilities

Improved research facility
 Sketch of the comet 


Tycho Brahe (1546 - 1601)
of Tycho Brahe that Brahe saw in 1577

• Greatest naked-eye
astronomer
• Proved that comets were
celestial objects
• Proved that a supernova was
a celestial object

image: en.wikipedia.org
19 www.tychobrahe.com 20 21

19 20 21

Improved research facilities Improved research facilities Improved research facilities

Significant contributions
 Favoring


Compromise model of Brahe
of Tycho Brahe Brahe’s compromise model
1. Discovery of a “nova stella” Tychonic system appeals
sun
! Not due to earth’s atmosphere (no parallax) to both the homocentric
! Stars are not eternal principle and the
heliocentric revolution of
2. Accurate astronomical data for his time
other planets.
! Stellar and planetary positions
earth • Strange hybrid of geocentrism
! Better measure of earth’s axial tilt and heliocentrism
! Anomalies in Ptolemaic model surfaced • Earth was at center
moon’s orbit
3. Proved that comets are celestial objects • Sun orbits earth
• Planets orbit sun
4. Removed the necessity of crystalline celestial
spheres.
22 www.tychobrahe.com 23 24

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