A revolution in astronomy
Geocentric Model:
Geocentric means “Earth-centered.”
This model said:
Earth is at the center of the universe.
The Sun, Moon, and planets move around Earth.
This idea was supported by:
Claudius Ptolemy
People believed this for many hundreds of years.
Key points:
Earth is at the center of the universe.
Sun, Moon, and planets move around Earth.
Supported by Claudius Ptolemy.
Believed for over 1,000 years.
Could not correctly explain some planet movements.
Heliocentric Model:
Heliocentric means “Sun-centered.”
This model says:
The Sun is at the center.
Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun.
This idea was proposed by:
Nicolaus Copernicus
Later supported by:
Galileo Galilei
Johannes Kepler
Key points:
Sun is at the center.
Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun.
Proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus.
Supported by Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler.
Correctly explains planetary motion.
Why did people believe the geocentric model?
It looked true.
The Sun, Moon, and stars appear to move around Earth.
We don’t feel Earth moving.
If Earth was moving, people thought we should feel it.
No strong technology.
They didn’t have powerful telescopes yet.
Trusted ancient scholars.
People believed ideas from Claudius Ptolemy and Aristotle.
Fun Fact:
Planets do not move in perfect circles. They move in oval orbits around the sun instead