What was the Copernican view of the universe? How did it differ from Ptolemy's? Why was it so controversial?

1 Answer
notafraid
Feb 1, 2017

Geocentric vs Heliocentric

Explanation:

The Copernican view of the universe put the Sun at the center, and this broke from the widely accepted (be even the church at the time) that the Earth was at the center (Geocentric view). Ptolemy (as well as everyone) preached the Geocentric model. Copernicus was excommunicated by the church because his views were TOTALLY different than theirs.

Why was it controversial? The Copernican model went against the teachings of the church!

Geocentric View:
Khan Academy
Heliocentric:
Getty Images

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