Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer who is considered the founder of modern astronomy. He was the first to propose that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun (heliocentrism), rather than the Earth being the center of the universe. Copernicus received a good education after his father died, studying mathematics and law at multiple universities in Italy. His greatest accomplishment was publishing his theory of heliocentrism in 1543, shortly before his death.

1. NICOLAUS
COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)

2. GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
 Founder of Modern Astronomy
 First to say the Earth wasn’t in the center of the universe

3. ABOUT HIM
 Polish Family
 Father: local official, died when he was 10 years old.
 His uncle took over and made sure he received a good education.

4. EDUCATION
 Studied mathematics and law
 Visited Italy, Rome, and Bologna for
many Universities
 “At rest, however, in the middle of
everything is the sun.” –Nicolaus
Copernicus

5. CONTIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE
Heliocentrism

6. AWARDS
 None received
 His work was published after he died

7. 94183983
 “The Only Stupid Questions are the ones Left Unasked” [Nicolaus
Copernicus]. 2008. http://unasked.com/question/view/id/27183.
(October 18, 2010).
 “Western Culture Global” [#8: Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)].
2009. http://westerncultureglobal.org/copernicus.html.(October 18,
2010).