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  • Celestial Models by Ptolemy and Copernicus

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    Christian D. Ramat
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    Ptolemy in the 2nd century proposed a geocentric model of the universe that was accepted for centuries, with the earth stationary at the center and planets moving in epicycles. It was not until the 16th century that Copernicus developed a heliocentric model placing the sun at the center, which was initially rejected but gradually accepted as it better explained observations, even though Copernicus' measurements were not more accurate than Ptolemy's.

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    Ptolemy in the 2nd century proposed a geocentric model of the universe that was accepted for centuries, with the earth stationary at the center and planets moving in epicycles. It was not until the 16th century that Copernicus developed a heliocentric model placing the sun at the center, which was initially rejected but gradually accepted as it better explained observations, even though Copernicus' measurements were not more accurate than Ptolemy's.

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    Celestial Models by Ptolemy and Copernicus

    Uploaded by

    Christian D. Ramat
    Ptolemy in the 2nd century proposed a geocentric model of the universe that was accepted for centuries, with the earth stationary at the center and planets moving in epicycles. It was not until the 16th century that Copernicus developed a heliocentric model placing the sun at the center, which was initially rejected but gradually accepted as it better explained observations, even though Copernicus' measurements were not more accurate than Ptolemy's.

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    Celestial Models by Ptolemy and Copernicus

    Currently, most people consider it obvious that the sun is at the center of the solar system, but the
    sun-centered (heliocentric) concept was slow to evolve. In the 2nd century AD, Claudius Ptolemy
    proposed a model of the universe with the earth at the center (geocentric). His model (shown
    left) depicts the earth as stationary with the planets, moon, and sun moving around it in small,
    circular orbits called epicycles. Ptolemy’s system was accepted by astronomers and religious
    thinkers alike for several hundred years. It was not until the 16th century that Nicolaus
    Copernicus developed a model for the universe in which the sun was at the center instead of the
    earth. The new model was rejected by the church, but it gradually gained popular acceptance
    because it provided better explanations for observed phenomena. Ironically, Copernicus’ initial
    measurements were no more accurate than Ptolemy’s, they just made more sense.
    Encarta Encyclopedia

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