* Ancient Greeks: While many believe the idea originated with Nicolaus Copernicus, philosophers like Aristarchus of Samos (3rd century BC) proposed a heliocentric model (Sun-centered) long before. However, the geocentric model (Earth-centered) remained dominant due to the lack of observational evidence.
* Nicolaus Copernicus (1543): Copernicus formalized the heliocentric model in his book "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres). He provided mathematical and observational arguments to support his theory, though it was initially met with resistance.
* Galileo Galilei (early 1600s): Galileo's observations with his telescope provided crucial evidence supporting the heliocentric model. He observed the phases of Venus, which could only be explained if Venus orbited the Sun, not the Earth. His findings, however, angered the Church and led to his persecution.
* Johannes Kepler (early 1600s): Kepler, using Tycho Brahe's precise astronomical data, developed the three laws of planetary motion, which further solidified the heliocentric model.
While Copernicus is often credited with the heliocentric model, he wasn't the first to propose it. The shift to a heliocentric view was a long process involving many scientists and their contributions.
