While it's commonly believed that Nicolaus Copernicus was the first to propose the heliocentric model (sun-centered) of the solar system, it's more accurate to say he was the first to revive the idea.

Here's why:

* Ancient Greek astronomers like Aristarchus of Samos had proposed a heliocentric model centuries before Copernicus. However, the geocentric model (Earth-centered) proposed by Ptolemy was more widely accepted and became the dominant theory for over 1,400 years.

* Copernicus didn't just revive the idea but presented a comprehensive mathematical model to support it, leading to a revolution in astronomy and our understanding of the universe.

So, while Copernicus wasn't the absolute *first*, his work was pivotal in establishing the heliocentric model as a valid scientific theory.