Copernicus proved. Biography of Nicolaus Copernicus. Documentary video about the theory of Nicolaus Copernicus

The Polish scientist Nicolaus Copernicus is famous for being able to "stop the Sun and move the Earth." His doctrine of the heliocentric system of the structure of the world was an epochal discovery, which made a revolution in natural science and challenged the supporters of church dogmas. We should also not forget that this revolutionary doctrine was created in the Middle Ages, when everything advanced and progressive was perceived as a blow to religion and was persecuted by the Inquisition.

Childhood

In the Polish town of Torun, located on the picturesque banks of the Vistula River, on February 19, 1473, a son was born in the family of Nicholas Copernicus Sr. and Barbara Watzenrode, who was named Nicholas.

His father was from a wealthy merchant family, and he himself was a successful merchant, and his mother was from a well-known and wealthy burgher family: her father was the chairman of the city court, and her brothers were famous diplomats and politicians.
Nicholas was the youngest child in the Copernicus family, where besides him there was also an older brother Andrzej and two sisters - Ekaterina and Varvara. The future luminary of astronomy was only 10 years old when the plague claimed the life of his father, and six years later his mother passed away.

Under the care of an uncle

After the death of their parents, their uncle, Luke Watzenrode, who was a rather influential person, a bishop, diplomat and statesman, took care of the orphaned children. Uncle was an outstanding person, although he had a cruel and domineering character, but he treated his nephews with warmth and love. Luke Watzenrode was famous for his education and erudition, so he tried to instill in his nephews a desire to learn.

In the primary school, which worked at the church of St. John, Copernicus received his primary education. 15-year-old Nikolai had to continue his studies at the cathedral school in Vlotslavsk.

On the way to a degree

In 1491, both Copernicus brothers, on the recommendation of their uncle, chose the University of Krakow for further education, the level of teaching in which was famous throughout Europe. The brothers enrolled in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, where they taught physics, mathematics, medicine, theology, astronomy, and music theory. The learning process at the university was organized in such a way as to develop students' critical thinking, the ability to compare, compare, observe and draw conclusions, in addition, the university had a good tool base. It was at this time that Copernicus became interested in such a science as astronomy, which became his hobby for life.

After studying for three years in Krakow, the brothers did not manage to get a university degree. In order to ensure a comfortable existence for his nephews, in 1495 the uncle invites them to run for canons in the Frombork Cathedral, and for this he calls them home to Torun. However, Copernicus failed to get this place, and the main reason was the lack of a university diploma.

In 1496, Nicolaus Copernicus and his older brother left for Italy to continue their studies at the University of Bologna. This time they chose the Faculty of Law. But the uncle did not give up his attempts to arrange the future of his nephews. When the next time the vacancies again became vacant, he, using all his influence, ensured that the young men were elected canons. The brothers received not only well-paid positions, but also official leave for 3 years to complete their studies in Italy.

In Bologna, Nicholas studied law, but did not forget about his beloved astronomy. He conducts joint observations with the famous astronomer Domenico Mario di Novara. Later, in his famous treatise, Copernicus will rely on 27 of his own observations, the first of which he made during his stay in Bologna. The three years allotted for training ended, and he had to return to his place of service in Frombork, but Copernicus never received his degree. Therefore, Nikolai and his brother received leave again to complete their studies. This time, the University of Padua, famous for its medical faculty, was chosen. It was there that Copernicus acquired the fundamental knowledge that enabled him to become a qualified physician. In 1503, Nicholas at the University of Ferrara, having passed the exams externally, received a doctorate in law.

His studies in Italy lasted almost 10 years, and by the age of 33 Copernicus had become the most educated specialist in the field of mathematics, law, astronomy and medicine.

Priest, doctor, administrator, scientist

In 1506 he returned to his homeland. It was during this period that the comprehension and development of postulates regarding the heliocentric system of the structure of the world began.

For almost a year, Nicholas regularly performed the duties of a canon in the Cathedral of Frombork, then began working as an adviser to his uncle. Bishop Watzenrode really wanted to see his nephew as his successor, but he did not have the necessary activity and ambition for diplomatic and state activities.

In 1512, Bishop Watzenrode died, and Copernicus had to leave Heilsberg Castle and return to the duties of a canon at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Frombork. Despite numerous spiritual duties, Copernicus does not forget about his scientific research on the structure of the Universe.

From 1516 to 1519, Nikolai worked as the manager of the capitular estates in Pieniężno and Olsztyn. After his term of office expired, he returned to Frombork in the hope of devoting full time to astronomical observations. But the war with the crusaders forced the astronomer to change his plans: he had to lead the defense of the Olsztyn fortress, since all the members of the chapter and the bishop himself fled. In 1521, Nicholas was appointed Commissar of Warmia, and in 1523, the general administrator of this region.
The scientist was a versatile person: he successfully dealt with the administrative, economic and economic affairs of the diocese, led a medical practice, according to his project a new monetary system was introduced in Poland, he participated in the construction of hydraulic and waterworks. Copernicus, as a mathematician and astronomer, was invited to take part in the reform of the Julian calendar.

The scientist who stopped the sun and moved the earth

After 1531, Copernicus, who was about 60 years old, resigned all his administrative posts. He was engaged only in medicine and astronomical research.

By this time, he was already absolutely convinced of the heliocentric structure of the world, which he set out in the manuscript "Small Commentary on Hypotheses Relating to Celestial Motions." His hypotheses refuted the theory of the ancient Greek scientist Ptolemy, which had existed for almost 1500 years. According to this theory, the Earth rested motionless in the center of the Universe, and all the planets, including the Sun, revolved around it. Although the teachings of Ptolemy could not explain many astronomical phenomena, but the church for many centuries supported the inviolability of this theory, since it suited it quite well. But Copernicus could not be content with hypotheses alone, he needed more compelling arguments, but it was very difficult to prove the correctness of his theory in practice at that time: there were no telescopes, and astronomical instruments were primitive. The scientist, observing the firmament, drew conclusions about the incorrectness of Ptolemy's theory, and using mathematical calculations convincingly proved that all the planets, including the Earth, revolve around the Sun. The church could not accept the teachings of Copernicus, because this destroyed the theory of the divine origin of the universe. The result of his 40 years of research, Nicolaus Copernicus outlined in the work “On the rotation of the celestial spheres”, which, thanks to the efforts of his student Joachim Rethik and like-minded Tiedemann Giese, was published in Nuremberg in May 1543. The scientist himself at that time was already ill: he suffered a stroke, as a result of which the right half of the body was paralyzed. On May 24, 1543, after another hemorrhage, the great Polish astronomer died. They say that already on his deathbed, Copernicus still managed to see his book printed.

The great scientist during his lifetime was not persecuted by the Inquisition, but his theory was declared by them as heresy, and the book was banned.

(1473-1543) Polish astronomer

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in the Polish city of Torun in the family of a merchant who came from Germany. He was orphaned early and brought up in the house of his uncle, the famous Polish humanist Bishop Lukasz Wachenrode. In 1490 he graduated from the University of Krakow and became a canon of the cathedral in Frombork, a fishing town at the mouth of the Vistula. He remained in this position (with interruptions) until the end of his life.

In 1496 Copernicus went on a long journey to Italy. At first he studied at the University of Bologna, where he became a master of arts, and also studied ecclesiastical law. It was in Bologna that he developed an interest in astronomy, which determined his scientific fate.

He then returned briefly to Poland, but soon returned to Italy, where he studied medicine at the University of Padua and obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Ferrara. Nicholas Copernicus returned to his homeland in 1503 as a comprehensively educated person. He settled first in the city of Lidzbark, where he served as a secretary and doctor for his uncle, and after his death he moved to Frombork, where he lived until the end of his life.

Nicolaus Copernicus was an amazingly versatile scientist. Simultaneously with astronomy, he was engaged in translations of the works of Byzantine authors, as well as medicine, earning a reputation as a wonderful doctor. Copernicus treated the poor free of charge: day and night he was ready to rush to help the sick. In addition, he participated in the management of the region, was in charge of its financial and economic affairs. But most of all he was interested in astronomy, which he presented in a slightly different way than was customary.

By that time, the world order system proposed by the ancient Greek scientist Claudius Ptolemy had existed for almost one and a half millennia. It consisted in the fact that the Earth rests motionless in the center of the Universe, and the Sun and other planets revolve around it. Ptolemy's theory did not allow explaining many phenomena well known to astronomers, in particular the looping motion of the planets across the visible sky. Nevertheless, its provisions were considered unshakable, since they were in good agreement with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Long before Copernicus, the ancient Greek scientist Aristarchus argued that the Earth moves around the Sun. But he could not yet experimentally confirm his teaching.

Observing the movement of celestial bodies, Nicolaus Copernicus came to the conclusion that Ptolemy's theory was incorrect. After thirty years of hard work, long observations and complex mathematical calculations, he convincingly proved that the Earth is only one of the planets and that all planets revolve around the Sun. True, Copernicus still believed that the stars are motionless and are located on the surface of a huge sphere, at a great distance from the Earth. This was due to the fact that at that time there were no such powerful telescopes with which one could observe the sky and stars.

Having discovered that the Earth and the planets are satellites of the Sun, Nicolaus Copernicus was able to explain the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky, the strange entanglement in the movement of some planets, and the apparent rotation of the firmament. He believed that we perceive the movement of celestial bodies in the same way as the movement of various objects on Earth when we ourselves are in motion. When we sail in a boat on the surface of the river, it seems that the boat and we are stationary in it, and the banks are floating in the opposite direction. Similarly, to an observer on Earth, the Earth appears to be stationary and the Sun moves around it. In fact, it is the Earth that moves around the Sun and makes a complete revolution in its orbit during the year.

Sometime between 1510 and 1514, Nicolaus Copernicus wrote a brief communication in which he first informed scientists of his discovery. It gave the impression of a bombshell and caused misfortune not only for its author, but also for his followers. To accept such a theory meant to destroy the authority of the church, since this concept refuted the theory of the divine origin of the universe.

The theory of Copernicus was fully expounded in his work On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. The author did not live to see this book spread all over the world. He was dying when friends brought him the first copy of his book, printed in one of the Nuremberg printing houses. His book aroused interest among progressive scientists.

Church leaders did not immediately understand what a blow to religion the book of Copernicus deals. For some time, his work was freely distributed among scientists. Only when Nicolaus Copernicus had followers, his teaching was declared heresy, and the book was included in the Index of Forbidden Books. Only in 1835 did the Pope exclude the book of Copernicus from this index and thereby, as it were, acknowledge the existence of his teaching in the eyes of the church.

In 1600, the Italian scientist Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for promoting the views of Copernicus. But this could not stop the development of science.

Soon after the death of Nicolaus Copernicus, the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei established that the Sun also rotates around its axis, which confirmed the correctness of the conclusions of the Polish scientist.

Obviously, the laws discovered by Copernicus contributed to the further development of astronomy, in which more and more new discoveries are still taking place.

Nicholas Copernicus- Polish and Prussian astronomer, mathematician, economist, canon of the Renaissance , author of the heliocentric system of the world.

Biography facts

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Torun into a merchant family in 1473, he lost his parents early. There is no definite opinion about his nationality - some consider him a Pole, others - a German. His hometown became part of Poland a few years before his birth, and before that was part of Prussia. But he was brought up in the German family of his maternal uncle.

He studied at the University of Krakow, where he studied mathematics, medicine and theology, but he was especially attracted to astronomy. Then he left for Italy and entered the University of Bologna, where he prepared mainly for a spiritual career, but also studied astronomy there. He studied medicine at the University of Padua. Upon returning to Krakow, he worked as a doctor, at the same time being a confidant of his uncle, Bishop Lukas.

After the death of his uncle, he lived in the small town of Frombork in Poland, where he served as a canon (priest of the Catholic Church), but did not stop studying astronomy. Here he developed the idea of ​​a new astronomical system. He shared his thoughts with friends, so very soon word spread about the young astronomer and his new system.

Copernicus was one of the first to express the idea of ​​universal gravitation. One of his letters says: “I think that gravity is nothing but a certain desire with which the divine Architect endowed the particles of matter so that they would unite in the form of a ball. The Sun, the Moon, and the planets probably have this property; to him these luminaries owe their spherical shape.

He confidently predicted that Venus and Mercury had phases similar to those of the Moon. After the invention of the telescope, Galileo confirmed this prediction.

It is known that talented people are talented in everything. Copernicus also showed himself to be a comprehensively educated person: according to his project, a new monetary system was introduced in Poland; in the city of Frombork, he built a hydraulic machine that supplied water to all houses. As a doctor, he fought the plague in 1519. During the Polish-Teutonic War (1519-1521), he organized the successful defense of the bishopric from the Teutons, and then took part in peace negotiations that culminated in the creation of the first Protestant state - the Duchy of Prussia.

At the age of 58, Copernicus retired from all affairs and began working on his book. "On the rotation of the heavenly spheres", at the same time treated people free of charge.

Nicolaus Copernicus died in 1543 from a stroke.

Heliocentric system of the world of Copernicus

heliocentric system- the idea that the Sun is the central celestial body around which the Earth and other planets revolve. The Earth, in accordance with this system, revolves around the Sun in one sidereal year, and around its axis - in one sidereal day. This view is the opposite geocentric system of the world(the idea of ​​​​the structure of the universe, according to which the central position in the Universe is occupied by the motionless Earth, around which the Sun, Moon, planets and stars revolve).

The doctrine of the heliocentric system arose even in antiquity, but became widespread from the end of the Renaissance.

The Pythagoreans, Heraclides of Pontus, had conjectures about the movement of the Earth, but a truly heliocentric system was proposed at the beginning of the 3rd century BC. e. Aristarchus of Samos. It is believed that Aristarchus came to heliocentrism based on the fact he established that the Sun is much larger than the Earth in size (the only work of a scientist that has come down to us). It was natural to assume that the smaller body revolves around the larger one, and not vice versa. The geocentric system of the world that existed before was unable to explain the change in the apparent brightness of the planets and the apparent size of the Moon, which the Greeks correctly associated with a change in the distance to these celestial bodies. It also allowed to establish the order of the luminaries.

But after the 2nd century A.D. e. in the Hellenistic world, geocentrism was firmly established, based on the philosophy of Aristotle and the planetary theory of Ptolemy.

In the Middle Ages the heliocentric system of the world was practically forgotten. An exception are the astronomers of the Samarkand school founded by Ulugbek in the first half of the 15th century. Some of them rejected the philosophy of Aristotle as the physical foundation of astronomy and considered the rotation of the Earth around its axis as physically possible. There are indications that some of the Samarkand astronomers considered the possibility of not just the axial rotation of the Earth, but the movement of its center, and also developed a theory in which the Sun is considered to revolve around the Earth, but all the planets revolve around the Sun (which can be called the geo-heliocentric system of the world) .

In the era Early Renaissance Nicholas of Cusa wrote about the mobility of the Earth, but his judgment was purely philosophical. There were other suggestions about the movement of the Earth, but the system as such did not exist. And only in the 16th century did heliocentrism finally revive, when the Polish astronomer Nicholas Copernicus developed the theory of planetary motion around the Sun based on the Pythagorean principle of uniform circular motions. The result of his labors was the book "On the rotations of the celestial spheres", published in 1543. He considered the disadvantage of all geocentric theories that they do not allow to determine "the shape of the world and the proportionality of its parts", that is, the scale of the planetary system. Perhaps he proceeded from the heliocentrism of Aristarchus, but this has not been conclusively proven; in the final edition of the book, the reference to Aristarchus has disappeared.

Copernicus believed that the Earth makes three movements:

1. Around its axis with a period of one day, resulting in a daily rotation of the celestial sphere.

2. Around the Sun with a period of a year, resulting in backward motions of the planets.

3. The so-called declination movement, also with a period of approximately one year, leads to the fact that the Earth's axis moves approximately parallel to itself.

Copernicus explained the reasons for the backward motions of the planets, calculated the distances of the planets from the Sun and the periods of their revolutions. Zodiacal inequality in the movement of the planets Copernicus explained by the fact that their movement is a combination of movements in large and small circles.

Heliocentric system of Copernicus can be formulated in the following statements:

• orbits and celestial spheres do not have a common center;
• the center of the Earth is not the center of the Universe, but only the center of mass and orbit of the Moon;
• all the planets move in orbits whose center is the Sun, and therefore the Sun is the center of the world;
• the distance between the Earth and the Sun is very small compared to the distance between the Earth and the fixed stars;
• the daily movement of the Sun is imaginary, and is caused by the effect of the rotation of the Earth, which rotates once every 24 hours around its axis, which always remains parallel to itself;
• The Earth (together with the Moon, like other planets), revolves around the Sun, and therefore the movements that the Sun seems to make (the daily movement, as well as the annual movement when the Sun moves around the Zodiac) are nothing more than the effect of the Earth's movement ;
• this motion of the Earth and other planets explains their location and the specific characteristics of the motion of the planets.

These statements completely contradicted the geocentric system that prevailed at that time.

The center of the planetary system for Copernicus was not the Sun, but the center of the earth's orbit;

of all the planets, the Earth was the only one that moved uniformly in its orbit, while the orbital speed of the other planets varied.

Apparently, Copernicus retained a belief in the existence of celestial spheres carrying planets. Thus, the movement of the planets around the Sun was explained by the rotation of these spheres around their axes.

Evaluation of the theory of Copernicus by contemporaries

His closest supporters for the first three decades after the publication of the book « On the rotations of the celestial spheres" was the German astronomer Georg Joachim Retik, who at one time collaborated with Copernicus, who considered himself his student, as well as the astronomer and surveyor Gemma Frisius. A friend of Copernicus, Bishop Tiedemann Giese, was also a supporter of Copernicus. But the majority of contemporaries "pulled out" only the mathematical apparatus for astronomical calculations from the theory of Copernicus and almost complete disregard for his new, heliocentric cosmology. This was perhaps because the preface to his book was written by a Lutheran theologian, and the preface said that the motion of the earth was a clever computational trick, but that Copernicus should not be taken literally. Many in the 16th century believed that this was the opinion of Copernicus himself. And only in the 70s - 90s of the XVI century. astronomers began to show interest in the new system of the world. Copernicus had both supporters (including the philosopher Giordano Bruno; the theologian Diego de Zuniga, who uses the concept of the movement of the Earth to interpret some words of the Bible) and opponents (astronomers Tycho Brahe and Christopher Clavius, philosopher Francis Bacon).

Opponents of the Copernican system argued that if the Earth rotated around its axis, then:

• The earth would experience colossal centrifugal forces that would inevitably tear it apart.
• All light objects on its surface would be scattered in all directions of the Cosmos.
• Any thrown object would deviate towards the west, and the clouds would float, along with the Sun, from east to west.
• Celestial bodies move because they are made of imponderable thin matter, but what force can make the huge heavy Earth move?

Meaning

The heliocentric system of the world, put forward in the III century BC. uh . Aristarchus and revived in the 16th century Copernicus, made it possible to establish the parameters of the planetary system and discover the laws of planetary motions. The justification of heliocentrism required the creation classical mechanics and led to the discovery of the law gravity. This theory paved the way for stellar astronomy, when it was proved that the stars are distant suns) and the cosmology of the infinite Universe. Further, the heliocentric system of the world was more and more asserted - the main content of the scientific revolution of the 17th century consisted in the establishment of heliocentrism.

Nicolaus Copernicus is an outstanding Polish Renaissance astronomer, mathematician, theologian, physician. The scientist refuted the theory put forward by the ancient Greeks, according to which the planets and the Sun revolve around the Earth, created and substantiated a new, heliocentric theory of the world order.

Nicolaus Copernicus was the fourth child in the family of German Barbara Watzenrode and Nicolaus Copernicus, a merchant from Krakow. Over time, the borders of states and names have repeatedly changed, so the question of where, in which country a scientist was born, often arises. It happened in the Prussian city of Thorn on February 19, 1473. Today the town is called Torun and is located on the territory of modern Poland.

Nikolai had two older sisters, one later became a nun, and the other got married and left the city. The elder brother Andrzej became a faithful companion and companion of Nikolai. Together they traveled half of Europe, studying at the best universities.

The Copernicans lived in abundance and prosperity as long as the father of the family was alive. When Nicholas was nine years old, a plague broke out in Europe, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Copernicus Sr. also fell victim to a terrible disease, and a few years later, in 1489, his mother also died. The family was left without a livelihood, and the children were orphans. Everything could have ended badly if it were not for her uncle, Barbara's brother, Lukasz Watzenrode, canon of the local diocese.

Being an educated person at that time, Luke had a master's degree from the Jagiellonian University of Krakow and a doctorate in canon law from the University of Bologna, and subsequently held the position of bishop. Luka took care of the children of his deceased sister and tried to educate Nikolai and Andrzej.

After Nikolai graduated from a local school in 1491, the brothers, under the patronage and at the expense of their uncle, went to Krakow, where they entered the Faculty of Arts at the Jagiellonian University. This event marked the beginning of a new stage in the biography of Copernicus, the first on the way to future great discoveries in science and philosophy.

The science

After graduating from the University of Krakow in 1496, the Copernicus brothers went on a trip to Italy. It was originally planned to receive funds for the trip from his uncle, the Bishop of Emerland, but he did not have free money. Luke invited his nephews to become canons of his own diocese and to go abroad to study with the salary they received. In 1487, Andrzej and Nikolai were accepted as canons in absentia with a salary in advance and a three-year leave for study.

The brothers entered the University of Bologna at the Faculty of Law, where they studied ecclesiastical canon law. In Bologna, fate brought Nicholas with an astronomy teacher, Domenico Maria Novara, and this meeting became decisive for the young Copernicus.

Together with Novara in 1497, the future scientist made the first astronomical observation in his life. The result was the conclusion that the distance to the Moon in quadrature is the same, with a new moon and a full moon. This observation first led Copernicus to doubt the truth of the theory that all celestial bodies revolve around the Earth.

In addition to studying law, mathematics and astronomy in Bologna, Nikolai studied Greek and was fond of painting. The painting, which is considered a copy of Copernicus' self-portrait, has survived to this day.

After studying in Bologna for three years, the brothers left the university and for some time returned to their homeland in Poland. In the city of Frauenburg, at the place of service, the Copernicans asked for a deferment and a few more years to continue their studies. According to some reports, during this period, Nicholas lived in Rome and lectured on mathematics to noble dignitaries from high society, and Pope Alexander VI Borgia helped to master the laws of astronomy.

In 1502 the Copernican brothers arrived in Padua. At the University of Padua, Nicholas acquired fundamental knowledge and practical experience in medicine, and at the University of Ferrara he received a doctorate in theology. As a result of this extensive training, in 1506 Copernicus returned home as a well-rounded adult.

By the time he returned to Poland, Nikolai was already 33 years old, and his brother Andrzej was 42 years old. At that time, this age was considered generally accepted for obtaining university degrees and completing education.

The further activity of Copernicus is connected with his position as a canon. A brilliant scientist managed to make a career as a churchman, while simultaneously doing scientific research. He was lucky that the works were completed only at the end of his life, and the books were published after his death.

Copernicus happily escaped the persecution of the church for radical views and the doctrine of the heliocentric system, which his successors and followers failed to do, and. After the death of Copernicus, the main ideas of the scientist, reflected in the work "On the rotations of the celestial spheres", spread freely throughout Europe and the world. It was not until 1616 that this theory was declared heresy and banned by the Catholic Church.

heliocentric system

Nicolaus Copernicus was one of the first to think about the imperfection of the Ptolemaic system of the universe, according to which the Sun and other planets revolve around the Earth. Using primitive astronomical instruments, partly self-made, the scientist was able to deduce and substantiate the theory of the heliocentric solar system.

At the same time, Copernicus believed until the end of his life that the distant stars and luminaries visible from the Earth were fixed on a special sphere surrounding our planet. This misconception was caused by the imperfection of the technical means of that time, because even the simplest telescope did not exist in Renaissance Europe. Some details of the theory of Copernicus, in which he adhered to the opinion of ancient Greek astronomers, were subsequently eliminated and finalized by Johannes Kepler.

The main work of the scientist's entire life was the fruit of thirty years of work and was published in 1543 with the participation of Copernicus's favorite student, Rheticus. The astronomer himself had the good fortune to hold in his hands a published book on the eve of his death.

The work dedicated to Pope Paul III was divided into six parts. The first part talked about the sphericity of the Earth and the entire universe, the second told about the basics of spherical astronomy and the rules for calculating the location of stars and planets in the firmament. The third part of the book is devoted to the nature of the equinoxes, the fourth - to the Moon, the fifth - to all the planets, the sixth - to the causes of changes in latitudes.

The teachings of Copernicus are a great contribution to the development of astronomy and the science of the universe.

Personal life

From 1506 to 1512, during the life of his uncle, Nikolai served as a canon in Frombork, then became an adviser to the bishop, and after that - the chancellor of the diocese. After the death of Bishop Luke, Nikolai moved to Fraenburg and became a canon of the local cathedral, and his brother, who fell ill with leprosy, left the country.

In 1516, Copernicus received the post of Chancellor of the Warmian diocese and moved to the city of Olsztyn for four years. Here the scientist was caught by the war that Prussia waged with the knights of the Teutonic Order. The churchman showed himself to be a surprisingly competent military strategist, having managed to ensure proper defense and protection of the fortress, which withstood the onslaught of the Teutons.

In 1521 Copernicus returned to Frombrock. He practiced medicine and was known as a skilled healer. According to some reports, Nicolaus Copernicus relieved ailments and alleviated the fate of many patients, for the most part, his fellow canons.

In 1528, in his declining years, the astronomer fell in love for the first time. The chosen one of the scientist was a young girl Anna, the daughter of a friend of Copernicus, metal carver Matz Schilling. The acquaintance took place in the native city of the scientist, Torun. Since it was forbidden for Catholic clergy to marry and have relations with women, Copernicus settled Anna with him as a distant relative and housekeeper.

However, soon the girl had to leave first the scientist’s house, and then leave the city altogether, since the new bishop made it clear to his subordinate that the church did not welcome this state of affairs.

Death

In 1542, Copernicus' book "On the sides and angles of triangles, both flat and spherical" was published in Wittenberg. The main work was published in Nuremberg a year later. The scientist was dying when students and friends brought the first printed copy of the book "On the rotation of the celestial spheres." The great astronomer and mathematician died at his home in Frombork, surrounded by loved ones on May 24, 1543.

The posthumous glory of Copernicus corresponds to the merits and achievements of the scientist. Thanks to portraits and photos, the face of the astronomer is known to every schoolchild, monuments stand in different cities and countries, and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland is named after him.

Discoveries of Copernicus

• creation and substantiation of the theory of the heliocentric system of the world, which marked the beginning of the first scientific revolution;
• development of a new monetary system in Poland;
• the construction of a hydraulic machine that supplied water to all the houses in the city;
• co-author of the Copernicus-Gresham economic law;
• calculation of the actual motion of the planets.

What contribution did Nicolaus Copernicus make to science and to astronomy, you will learn from this article.

The future astronomer was born in 1473 in the Polish city of Torun on the Vistula. While studying at the University of Krakow, he developed an interest in astronomy. It was during his student years that he conducted his first research and began to doubt the Ptolemaic system of the world.

Nicolaus Copernicus contribution to astronomy

Before Nicolaus Copernicus, the Earth was considered the only immovable body in the Universe and the most important part of the universe. Religion taught that all heavenly bodies were specially created for the Earth and people. However, the studies and works of Nicolaus Copernicus forced science to abandon the Ptolemaic concept of the world. And that's why.

Scientist Nicolaus Copernicus put forward a revolutionary theory about what exactly The sun, not the earth, is at the center of the world. And planets move around it, including the Earth with its satellite - the Moon. Away from the solar system is the sphere of stars. In other words, the astronomer reduced our planet to the rank of an ordinary cosmic body. He explained the visible movements of stars and planets by the annual and daily revolution of the Earth around the star. The scientist first described the change of day and night, the seasons. In his work “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres” (1543), which Copernicus dedicated to the Pope, he described the entire inconsistency of the previously prevailing idea of ​​heaven and earth. Also in the book, the genius placed tables of stars, instructions for observing the planets, useful information on spherical astronomy and trigonometry, and explained in more detail the new system of the world. After his death, Pope Gregory XIII, based on the research data of Nicolaus Copernicus, introduced a more accurate calendar - the Gregorian.

The theory of Copernicus, in comparison with the theory of Ptolemy, was simpler, more practical. Movement in the Universe, according to it, was subject to a single mechanics and general laws. The new system of the world was called the heliocentric system of the world.

In addition to astronomical research, Nicolaus Copernicus invented the hydraulic system and plumbing. The hydraulic developments of the scientist at the beginning of the 16th century were very progressive. He was the first to design the complex for the efficient use of water resources. The invention supplied water to houses, regulated the flow, ensured river navigation, used water energy for mills, filled fortress ditches and city wells with water. Today, water pipes created by him operate in Frauenburg and Grundzendz. Nicolaus Copernicus also designed for the Frombork Tower mechanical lift. In addition, the scientist is founder of the new Polish monetary system.