Astronomy in ancient Greece developed from Pre-Socratic Philosophers
who advanced a non-theistic view of the universe.
Philolaus of Croton (470 - 385 BCE) Pythagorean philosopher proposed
a Pyrocentric view in which the Earth, and all other planets, revolved around
a 'Central Fire'.
Aristarchus of Samos (310 - 230 BCE) Greek Pythagorean astronomer
who first proposed a heliocentric model with sun at centre.
Seleucus of Seleucia (190 - 150 BCE) Hellenistic astronomer, maintained
helio-centrism as a definite opinion. According to Plutarch, he proved Aristarchus’
model.
1543 Copernicus: 'On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres' published
arguing for heliocentrism and cited both Philolaus and Aristarchus in draught.
The Church opposed heliocentric model as it contradicted scripture which
maintained Earth as the center of God’s creation. This opposition was
supported by the early activists of the Protestant Reformation, most
notably Martin Luther (1483-1546) and Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560)
who dismissed Copernicus’ claims as heretical nonsense.
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) his efforts to established the (3) laws
of planetary motion, provided foundation for Sir Isaac Newton’s
mathematical proofs of the heliocentric universe first proposed
almost 2,000 years earlier by Aristarchus.
