Famous Poles – Mikołaj Kopernik

Mikołaj Kopernik (Nicolaus Copernicus) is being referred to as a man who wstrzymał Słońce, ruszył Ziemię – stopped the Sun and moved the Earth. He was a Polish astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1473 to 1543, born in Toruń in the XVth century. He is an important figure in Polish history and culture for several reasons. Copernicus was born and raised in Poland, and he spent much of his life working in his homeland as a canon and physician. As a result, he is often celebrated as a Polish hero and a source of national pride. Copernicus was also a key figure in the Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual rebirth that had a significant impact on Poland and other European countries.

He published a shred of evidence that Earth orbits the Sun, which was a contrary statement to what was so far believed, that Earth is the center of the Universe. By establishing the thesis of a heliocentric solar system he began the scientific revolution.

Copernicus’ theory was a breakthrough in astronomy and challenged the established view of the universe, which held that the Earth was the center of the universe and all other celestial bodies orbited around it. His work helped pave the way for future astronomers and scientists to better understand the nature of our solar system and the universe. His theory was highly controversial and not accepted at his time, yet it becomes one of the most important “game-changers” for understanding the Universe.

Despite the overwhelming criticism towards his work, Kopernik defended his theories till the end of his life and became a symbol of the brave scientist standing alone, against the common beliefs, and is now called the founder of modern astronomy.

Take a look at the humoristic visualization of Kopernik’s daily life challenges (English subtitles available in the video)