First of all, we must note that the universe is spherical. Nicolaus Copernicus notesphericaluniverse Change image and share on social
For a traveler going from any place toward the north, that pole of the daily rotation gradually climbs higher, while the opposite pole drops down an equal amount. Nicolaus Copernicus amountclimbdaily Change image and share on social
Therefore I would not have it unknown to Your Holiness, the the only thing which induced me to look for another way of reckoning the movements of the heavenly bodies was that I knew that mathematicians by no means agree in their investigation thereof. Nicolaus Copernicus agreebodyheavenly share on social
I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that in this book which I have written concerning the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, I ascribe certain motions to the Earth, they will cry out at once that I and my theory should be rejected. Nicolaus Copernicus ascribebodybook share on social
Those who know that the consensus of many centuries has sanctioned the conception that the earth remains at rest in the middle of the heavens as its center, would, I reflected, regard it as an insane pronouncement if I made the opposite assertion that the earth moves. Nicolaus Copernicus assertioncentercentury share on social
Accordingly, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we should now consider also whether several motions suit it, so that it can be regarded as one of the planets. For, it is not the center of all the revolutions. Nicolaus Copernicus centerearthmotion share on social
So far as hypotheses are concerned, let no one expect anything certain from astronomy, which cannot furnish it, lest he accept as the truth ideas conceived for another purpose, and depart from this study a greater fool than when he entered it. Nicolaus Copernicus acceptastronomyconceive share on social
I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary persons, because it is his endeavour to seek the truth in all things, to the extent permitted to human reason by God. Nicolaus Copernicus awareendeavourextent Change image and share on social
We regard it as a certainty that the earth, enclosed between poles, is bounded by a spherical surface. Nicolaus Copernicus boundcertaintyearth Change image and share on social
Not a few other very eminent and scholarly men made the same request, urging that I should no longer through fear refuse to give out my work for the common benefit of students of Mathematics. Nicolaus Copernicus benefitcommoneminent Change image and share on social