Nicolaus Copernicus fundamentally changed the field of astronomy by proposing the heliocentric model of the solar system, which posited that the Sun, rather than the Earth, is at the center of the universe. This marked a significant departure from the geocentric model established by Claudius Ptolemy, which held that the Earth was the center of the universe and that all celestial bodies, including the Sun and stars, revolved around it.
Copernicus's heliocentric model simplified the understanding of planetary motions and eliminated many of the complex epicycles and deferents that were necessary in Ptolemy's geocentric system to explain the retrograde motion of planets. By placing the Sun at the center, Copernicus provided a more coherent and accurate framework for understanding the arrangement and movement of celestial bodies, setting the stage for the later advancements in astronomy, including the work of Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei.
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