heliocentric model

The heliocentric model is an astronomical concept that places the Sun at the center of our solar system, with Earth and other planets orbiting around it. Proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century, this model challenged the earlier geocentric view, which positioned Earth at the center. The heliocentric model better explains the observed movements of celestial bodies, such as the retrograde motion of planets. It laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, influencing thinkers like Galileo and Kepler, and ultimately revolutionizing our understanding of the universe's structure and our place within it.