Difference between revisions of "Geocentric theory"
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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. | 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. | ||
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| + | Some devout Christians who believe in the literal truth of the Bible can point to astronomical observations as evidence which indicates that the Earth is at the center of the universe. Their opinions are usually ignored by evolutionary scientists however. | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
Revision as of 18:01, April 3, 2007
The geocentric theory is a system for describing the universe with Earth-centered coordinates. It was extremely popular from ancient times until about 1690, as it had better agreement with observation than any alternative. Ptolemy's model was particularly effective at cosmological predictions.
By the 1800s, the spectacular successes of Newtonian theory and Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism had convinced everyone that the Sun is a preferred frame of reference, and that the laws of physics must be applied in that frame. The geocentric theory was considered to be profoundly mistaken, and the heliocentric theory correct.
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.
Some devout Christians who believe in the literal truth of the Bible can point to astronomical observations as evidence which indicates that the Earth is at the center of the universe. Their opinions are usually ignored by evolutionary scientists however.