Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), Polish astronomer. Copernicus's heliocentric theory that the Earth orbited the Sun began the revolution that overthre
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), Polish astronomer. Copernicus's heliocentric theory that the Earth orbited the Sun began the revolution that overthrew more than 1000 years of astronomical thought. Copernicus feared persecution by the Catholic Church, and delayed publication until the year he died. The French text at bottom mentions his death year and age (70), as well as his birthplace of Torun in Royal Prussia. The text below this refers to how Copernicus's theory made the Earth mobile and the Sun fixed. This portrait is a 1770 coloured version of a 1720 copper engraving by Etienne-Jehandier Desrochers (1668-1741).
Size: 3633px × 4961px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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