Andreas Osiander

Andreas Osiander was a 16th-century German theologian and church reformer. He is best known for his role in the publication of Nicolaus Copernicus’s heliocentric model of the solar system. Osiander added a private, unsigned preface to Copernicus’s work, suggesting that the model was a mathematical tool rather than a physical description of reality. This controversial choice influenced how the idea was received, sparking debate over science and faith. Osiander’s actions highlight the complex relationship between scientific ideas and religious beliefs during the early days of modern astronomy.