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{{stub}}The geocentric theory said that the earth ("geo-") was the center of the universe.

{{stub}}The geocentric theory stated that the earth ("geo-") is the center of the universe.

This was proposed by [[Ptolemy]], a Greek astronomer.

Originally proposed by [[Ptolemy]], it was abandoned when the observations of [[Copernicus]] lead [[Galileo]] to propose the [[Heliocentric]] theory, i.e. that the [[Universe]] revolves around the [[Sun]]. This [[Scientific method|theory]] has itself now been abandoned as newer observations have lead [[Astronomy|Astronomers]] to see the Sun as just one [[star]] among billions and abandon the notion of the Universe having any center.

 

The Geocentric view was not abandoned easily as some [[Christianity|Christians]] interpreted Biblical passages (Chronicles 16:30 , Psalm 104:5, Ecclesiastes 1:5) as supporting the theory and saw any challange to it as [[heresy|heretical]]. [[Giordano Bruno]] for example had been burned to death in part for supporting Heliocentricism. Galileo himself was at first imprisoned and later held under house arrest.