DEPARTMENT XI ASTRONOMY 



COPERNICUS 

 Photogravure from a Painting by 0. Brausewetter 



Nicholas Copernicus, the founder of modern astronomy, was born in Poland, 

 in 1473. He studied philosophy and mathematics at the University of Cracow, 

 and subsequently took a course of law at the University of Bologna. He 

 devoted himself principally, however, to the study of Astronomy, and lectured 

 on Astronomy at Rome in 1500. He studied medicine at Padua about 1501. 

 Meanwhile he was appointed Canon of the Chapter of Frauenburg, where he 

 spent the rest of his life in the performance of his duties as Canon, and in 

 the practice of medicine. 



His famous work " De Revolutionibus Orbium," was written between 1507 

 and 1530, but it was not till twelve years later that he was induced to have 

 it published, dedicating the work to Pope Paul III. It is related that the 

 first copy of the work arrived a few hours before his death, and that when 

 it was placed in his hands, he aroused from his lethargic state for a moment 

 and enjoyed the triumph of his life's work. 



In " De Revolutionize Orbium " Copernicus undertook to demonstrate' that 

 the sun is at rest in the centre and that the earth and planets move around 

 it in ellipses, and which scientists now know on unquestionable evidence to be 

 the true doctrine of the solar system. 



