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The Compass: Stargazing: Stargazing: Copernicus' Heavenly Spheres

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Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus Monument

23/08/2017 GMT

Stargazing: Copernicus' Heavenly Spheres

Stargazing

BBC World Service - The Compass, Stargazing, Stargazing: Copernicus' Heavenly Spheres

How the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus revealed the true model of the universe: 1/5

Dava Sobel uncovers the brilliance of 16th century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who revealed the Sun, not the Earth, was the centre of the Universe. Episode one of five.

Dava Sobel uncovers the brilliance of her hero, the 16th century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who revealed the true model of the universe by putting the Sun, rather than the Earth, at its hub. Episode one of five. 

In the Cathedral town of Frombork on the Baltic Sea in Northern Poland, we hear how he served his entire career in the church and how he kept his astronomical findings a secret, fearful of being denounced by the Catholic Church. On his deathbed, he published his life’s work, "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres". 

(Photo: Monument of great astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun, Poland. Credit: Getty Images)

The Compass: Stargazing

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos, from the revelations of Copernicus to the latest developments.

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos, from the revelations of Copernicus to the latest developments.

Photo: The ALMA Observatory (Credit: Carlos Padilla – AUI/NRAO)

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