Nicholas Copernicus was a Prussian astronomer monk of the Renaissance who formulated the heliocentric theory of the solar system, conceived in the first instance by Aristarchus of Samos. His book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the revolutions of the celestial spheres) is usually considered as the starting point or founder of modern astronomy, in addition to being a key piece in what the scientific revolution was seen at the time of the Renaissance. Copernicus spent about twenty-five years working on the development of his heliocentric model of the universe. At that time, it was difficult for scientists to accept it, since it was a real revolution.

Copernicus was a mathematician, astronomer, jurist, physicist, Catholic cleric, governor, diplomat and economist. Along with its extensive responsibilities, astronomy was listed as little more than a distraction. For his enormous contribution to astronomy, in 1935 the name "Copernicus" was given to one of the largest lunar craters, located in the Mare Insularum.

The heliocentric model is considered one of the most important theories in the history of science. (+info)

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