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In [[medieval]] [[Christian]] [[cosmology]], the '''Primum Mobile''' ('first mover') or '''Crystalline Heaven''' is the outermost sphere of [[Heaven]]. Medieval astronomers extrapolated from the observed motion of the [[planet]]s that the [[Earth]] was surrounded by concentric rotating spheres, each of which contained a planet. The outermost visible sphere contained the fixed stars, and it was conjectured that outside that was a final invisible sphere, the Primum Mobile, which also rotated. Since it was the furthest moving sphere before the [[Empyrean]], the Primum Mobile was thought to be the source of [[time]].

In [[medieval]] [[Christian]] [[cosmology]], the '''Primum Mobile''' ('first mover') or '''Crystalline Heaven''' is the outermost sphere of [[Heaven]]. Medieval astronomers extrapolated from the observed motion of the [[planet]]s that the [[Earth]] was surrounded by concentric rotating spheres, each of which contained a planet. The outermost visible sphere contained the fixed stars, and it was conjectured that outside that was a final invisible sphere, the Primum Mobile, which also rotated. Since it was the furthest moving sphere before the timeless [[Empyrean]], the Primum Mobile was thought to be the source of [[time]].

Since all planetary motion was ascribed to the rotation of vast spheres around a fixed Earth, calculations for the rotation speed of the Primum Mobile resulted in astronomically fast speeds. [[Dante]] used this as a literal representation of the power (or [[energy]]) provided by close exposure to [[God]]'s [[divine]] [[love]]. However, all these theories were eventually rejected when [[Galileo]], [[Copernicus]] and others found better explanations for the apparent movement of the heavens.

Since all planetary motion was ascribed to the rotation of vast spheres around a fixed Earth, calculations for the rotation speed of the Primum Mobile resulted in astronomically fast speeds. [[Dante]] used this as a literal representation of the power (or [[energy]]) provided by close exposure to [[God]]'s [[divine]] [[love]] - the further into space you go, the closer to God you are, so the more energy you receive from Him. However, all theories of this kind were eventually rejected when [[Galileo]], [[Copernicus]] and others found better explanations for the apparent movement of the heavens.

== See also ==

== See also ==