The heliocentric view of the universe, where the Earth revolves around the Sun, was first proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus.

While others had hinted at the idea before him, Copernicus was the first to develop a comprehensive and mathematically sound model for a heliocentric solar system. He published his theory in his groundbreaking book, *De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium* (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres), which was published shortly before his death in 1543.