Concept explainers
What is the Copernican principle? Make a list of scientific discoveries that confirm it.
The Copernican principle and list of scientific discoveries that confirm it.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
Nicholas Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who took the idea of a Sun-centered model of Aristarchus and this led to the development of modern science. He first proposed this idea that Earth is a planet orbiting around the Sun in his book. Now it is known as Copernicus Revolution.
The Copernicus principle is the idea that states that the Sun and the Earth are not the only bodies in the universe, and he proved this theory wrong that Earth is the center of the universe. He also said there are other planets that also revolve around the Sun including Earth in their own orbits.
If Earth would have been the center of the universe and had a unique location, then it would be easy to imagine that life is present only in this unique location.
He found simple geometric relationships to calculate the orbital period of each planet around the Sun and its relative distance from the Sun in terms of Earth-Sun distance. The success of this model convinced him that the Sun-centered idea must be correct.
Several scientific discoveries confirm this such as:
- Earth is a planet orbiting around the Sun and it is not the center of the solar system.
- Sun is one among the billion stars in Milky Way galaxy, and there are other galaxies in the universe.
- Other planets also orbit around the Sun.
- Apparent retrograde motion of the planets is described by Earth’s motion.
Conclusion:
Thus, the Copernicus principle is the idea that says Sun and Earth are not the only bodies in the universe and Earth is not the center of the solar system.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 30 Solutions
Astronomy
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biological Science (6th Edition)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Vol. 1 (Chs 1-21) (4th Edition)
Campbell Biology (11th Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (3rd Edition)
Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues (8th Edition)
Campbell Biology in Focus (2nd Edition)
- A newly discovered planet orbits a distant star with the same mass as the Sun at an average distance of 122 million kilometers. Its orbital eccentricity is 0.5. 1. Find the planet's orbital period. Express your answer in years to three significant figures. 2. Find the planet's nearest and farthest orbital distances from its star. Express your answers in millions of kilometers to three significant figures separated by a comma.arrow_forwardCan a good scientific theory be good without much researched details and facts? If yes, can you give an example. If not, why not? -Please & Thank youarrow_forwardWhat is science? What are some of its basic principles?arrow_forward
- Describe Kepler’s First Law of Planetary Motion.arrow_forwardWhat was so significant about Tycho Brahe's observations of the position of the planets that enabled Kepler to eventually come up with his theory that planets orbit the Sun in ellipses rather than circles? If Kepler did not have access to Tycho's data, do you think he would have came up with the same theory, or do you think he would have preferred either the Copernican or Ptolemaic theory?arrow_forwardThe geocentric model, in all of its complexity, survived scientific scrutiny for almost 1,400 years. However, in modern astronomy, scientists seek to explain the natural and physical world we live in as simply as possible. The complexity of Ptolemy's model was an indicator that his theory was inherently flawed. Why, then, was the geocentric model the leading theory for such a long time, even though the heliocentric model more simply explained the observed motions and brightness of the planets? Check all that apply. ☐ The geocentric model conformed to both the philosophical and religious doctrines of the time. ☐ The heliocentric model did not make noticeably better predictions than the geocentric model. From Earth, all heavenly bodies appeared to circle around a stationary Earth. The complexity of the geocentric model was appealing to most ancient astronomers. Ancient astronomers did not observe stellar parallax, which would have provided evidence in favor of the heliocentric model.arrow_forward
- Write down Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion. Why was it important realize that planets farther away from the sun travel slower through space than planets closer to the sun?arrow_forwardAnswer it correctly please. Explain your answer. I will rate accordingly with multiple votes.arrow_forwardExplain how did Kepler discovered his Laws of Planetary Motion.arrow_forward
- AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9781938168284Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. WolffPublisher:OpenStaxHorizons: Exploring the Universe (MindTap Course ...PhysicsISBN:9781305960961Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage LearningFoundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399920Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana BackmanPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)PhysicsISBN:9781337399944Author:Michael A. SeedsPublisher:Cengage LearningGlencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student...PhysicsISBN:9780078807213Author:Paul W. ZitzewitzPublisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill