You are a journalist for the World times. You have the unique opportunity to wri

Question

You are a journalist for the World times. You have the unique opportunity to write an article about a scientific debate among the world's greatest scientists. Ptolemy and Copernicus present their theories on the geocentric versus heliocentric universe, respectively. Explain the positions of both scientists. Be critical of both Ptolemy's and Copernicus' theories; examine the accuracy and inaccuracy of each. Explain the ramifications of Copernicus' heliocentric theory on the church. Discuss how the church, at that time, affected science both positively and negatively by providing one example of each. Based on, Book: Interactive Aerospace Engineering and Design, Chapter: 9. Orbital Mechanics

Explanation / Answer

Geocentric universe:
The early Greeks initiated the orbital theories, postulating the Earth was fixed with the planets and other celestial bodies moving around it.
Heliocentric universe:
About 300 BC, Aristarchus of Samos suggested that the Sun was fixed and the planets, including the Earth, were in circular orbits around the Sun.

(a) Ptolmey's Geocentric universe:

     From the sight of Ptolmey's point of view, Earth was positioned at the center of the solar system. Orbitibg aroud the earth were the seven wandering stars. They were to be Mercury, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Each of those massive celestial bodies travelled along a precise circular arc. These circular movements were modified by so called epicycles superimposed on more pronounced circular motions. an epicycle is a wheel rolling on another wheel. On observation he was on to the least accuracy of his celestial observations able to duplicate the motions of the wandering stars.

   Copernicus's Heliocentric Theory:

           Copernicus after his observations was finallised that ptolmey's architecture of the solar system did not provide enough explanation of the wandering stars. After some studies Copernicus theorized that Sun was at the center of our solar system. According to his conception, Earth was one of the wandering star which is travelling around the sun.

(b) Even the church leaders strongly resisted the theory of Copernicus. They resisted that they and their fellow earthlings were riding around a spinning a planet, their bodies would be thrown off into the space due to centrifugal force. They were also convinced that God's favouritwe creatureswere so fundamentally important, Earth would necessarily occupy the center of the soalr system.

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