HIST 325 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Nicolaus Copernicus, Mathematical Puzzle, Platonic Solid
15 Jun 2017
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Anatomy theatres in late 16th c. bottom center is body, tight circles around it elevated so everyone can see. Complex because earh at center and planets moving in circular orbits at a constant speed, difficulty trying to fit this into a scheme. Ptolemy still managed to do it: retrograde motion and epicycles (cycles on top of cycles). Nicholas copernicus (1473-1543) had privileged life. Born to polish family on border with germany. Uncle was bishop, became independent ruler of local bishopric, powerful in local church and politically and was able to promote nicholas"s career. Destined from early on to rise in church. To become canon where didn"t have to do much so had much free time to devote to math and astronomy. Good education thanks to uncle, sent to university of. Kracow (somewhat center of humanism, university founded 1364, second in e. Europe and became very good particularly in math and astronomy).
