Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473, in Thorn (now Toruń), Poland.¹⁾

He came from a wealthy family of merchants and was the youngest of four children.²⁾

Copernicus's full name was Nicolaus Copernicus von Thorn, as he was of German descent.³⁾

He studied various subjects, including mathematics, astronomy, and canon law, at the University of Cracow and later in Italy at the University of Bologna and the University of Padua.⁴⁾

Copernicus was a skilled mathematician and astronomer, but he also worked as a physician and church administrator.⁵⁾

He developed the heliocentric model of the solar system, which suggested that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, challenging the geocentric model, where Earth was considered the center of the universe.⁶⁾

His groundbreaking work, “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium” (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), which outlined the heliocentric theory, was published in 1543, just before his death.⁷⁾

Copernicus's heliocentric theory laid the foundation for modern astronomy and revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.⁸⁾

Contrary to popular belief, Copernicus did not face severe persecution for his heliocentric theory during his lifetime. However, it did spark debates and controversies among scholars.⁹⁾

He worked on his heliocentric model for several decades in relative secrecy, fearing the backlash from the church and conservative scholars.¹⁰⁾

Copernicus was a polymath and also made significant contributions to economics, medicine, and military strategy.¹¹⁾

He was fluent in Latin, Greek, and German, and he wrote many of his works in Latin.¹²⁾

Copernicus worked as a church canon in Frombork Cathedral, which allowed him time to pursue his astronomical studies.¹³⁾

He observed the planets and stars using simple instruments like quadrants and astrolabes.¹⁴⁾

Copernicus accurately calculated the length of a year to within 10 minutes of the modern value.¹⁵⁾

His heliocentric model explained retrograde motion, a phenomenon that had puzzled astronomers for centuries.¹⁶⁾

Copernicus's work was a critical precursor to Johannes Kepler's laws of planetary motion and Isaac Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation.¹⁷⁾

He died on May 24, 1543, in Frombork, Poland, just weeks after his book was published.¹⁸⁾

It is believed that Copernicus died of a cerebral hemorrhage or a stroke.¹⁹⁾

Copernicus's work laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries.²⁰⁾

He was not widely recognized during his lifetime, and his work gained greater prominence in the centuries following his death.²¹⁾

The crater Copernicus on the Moon is named in his honor.²²⁾

Copernicus's heliocentric theory was initially met with skepticism and opposition from many astronomers and religious authorities.²³⁾

The Catholic Church did not formally ban his work until 1616, over 70 years after its publication.²⁴⁾

Copernicus's theory was later confirmed and refined by Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and others.²⁵⁾

His work challenged the Ptolemaic model, which placed Earth at the center of the universe and had been the dominant view for centuries.²⁶⁾

Copernicus's heliocentric model was part of a broader shift toward empirical observation and evidence-based science.²⁷⁾

He was a devout Catholic and saw no conflict between his religious beliefs and his scientific discoveries.²⁸⁾

Copernicus's work led to a revolution in the way we understand the cosmos, sparking new questions and avenues of inquiry.²⁹⁾

He made extensive observations of the planets, helping to refine our understanding of their movements.³⁰⁾

In addition to his heliocentric theory, Copernicus made significant contributions to trigonometry and mathematics.³¹⁾

He was a supporter of the Renaissance humanism movement, which emphasized the value of individual achievement and intellectual pursuits.³²⁾

Copernicus's work inspired generations of astronomers and scientists to question established dogma and seek empirical evidence.³³⁾

His heliocentric model provided a simpler and more elegant explanation for the motions of celestial bodies compared to the geocentric model.³⁴⁾

Copernicus's book, “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium,” was dedicated to Pope Paul III.³⁵⁾

His work was instrumental in challenging the notion of a static, Earth-centered universe.³⁶⁾

Many astronomers and mathematicians of his time did not immediately accept Copernicus's ideas, as they required a significant shift in thinking.³⁷⁾

The publication of his book marked a turning point in the history of astronomy and science.³⁸⁾

Copernicus's heliocentric model laid the groundwork for the development of modern astrophysics and cosmology.³⁹⁾

His work also influenced the development of the scientific method, emphasizing the importance of observation and empirical evidence.⁴⁰⁾

Copernicus's theory was revolutionary not only in astronomy but also in how people perceived their place in the universe.⁴¹⁾

Despite his contributions, Copernicus was a relatively modest and private individual.⁴²⁾

His ideas had a profound impact on subsequent scientific revolutions, including the work of Galileo, Kepler, and Newton.⁴³⁾

Copernicus's legacy endures as a symbol of scientific progress and the power of human curiosity to challenge and expand our understanding of the natural world.⁴⁴⁾