He published his revolutionary theory in 1543 in his book "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres). However, it's important to note that:
* Copernicus wasn't the first to suggest a heliocentric model. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristarchus of Samos had proposed similar ideas centuries before.
* Copernicus's model was not immediately accepted. It faced strong opposition from the Church and many scientists who held onto the geocentric model (Earth-centered) for many years.
It was the work of later scientists like Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler that helped to solidify the heliocentric model and ultimately led to its widespread acceptance.
