Difference between revisions of "Heliocentrism"
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| − | '''Heliocentrism''' is the view that the sun is at the center of the solar system or the universe or both. | + | '''Heliocentrism''' is the view that the sun is at the center of the solar system or the universe or both. In ancient times there was no real distinction between the solar system and the universe. Heliocentrism was originally proposed by the ancient Greeks<ref>Aristarchus of Samos (ca. 310-230 BC) proposed it, Archimedes discussed it, and the idea was well-known in Europe when [[Copernicus]] proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system. [http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/theories/copernican_system.html]</ref>. |
The heliocentric view of the universe became less and less popular during the course of the 1700s and 1800s. It was completely abandoned by the 20th century. | The heliocentric view of the universe became less and less popular during the course of the 1700s and 1800s. It was completely abandoned by the 20th century. | ||
Revision as of 22:45, January 31, 2008
Heliocentrism is the view that the sun is at the center of the solar system or the universe or both. In ancient times there was no real distinction between the solar system and the universe. Heliocentrism was originally proposed by the ancient Greeks[1].
The heliocentric view of the universe became less and less popular during the course of the 1700s and 1800s. It was completely abandoned by the 20th century.
Since the advent of relativity theory in the early 1900s, the laws of physics have been written in covariant equations, meaning that they are equally valid in any frame. Heliocentric and geocentric theories are both used today, depending on which allows more convenient calculations.
References
- ↑ Aristarchus of Samos (ca. 310-230 BC) proposed it, Archimedes discussed it, and the idea was well-known in Europe when Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system. [1]