Appendix 1
Reading to Learn
4B ‧ Ch.9 Scientific Process and Advancement ‧ p.6
From the Earth-centred Theory to the Sun-centred Theory
香港資訊 Science for You
A long time ago, people believed that the Earth was at the centre of the universe while other stars moved around the Earth. Westerners believed in this Earth-centred theory for almost 1500 years. In 1513, the Polish scientist, Copernicus, found out that the Earth-centred theory was different from the actual observation and results of his calculation. Therefore, he suggested that the centre of stars should be the Sun but not the Earth. At that time, people, including the church, firmly believed in the Earth-centred theory, so they did not agree with Copernicus’s idea. However, he did not give up, and kept on observing and studying. He finally published the book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres and proposed the Sun-centred theory.
Mars
Jupiter
Mercury
Earth
Moon
Venus
Sun
Saturn
the Earth-centred theory
In 1609, Galileo invented the telescope and used it to observe the actual movement of the stars. The observation results proved that the Sun-centred theory was correct. Although Copernicus’s Sun-centred theory was not perfect, it brought a revolution to astronomy at that time. From Copernicus, we learn not to be bound by old beliefs when studying science. No matter how influential those beliefs are, we should always have doubts and try to find more evidence to prove the theory or to propose a more believable theory.
Let’s Think 1. Why did Copernicus propose the Sun-centred theory? 2. What scientific spirits and attitudes should we learn from Copernicus?
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