BIOGRAPHY Nicholas Copernicus

 

Nicolaus Copernicus is one of those people who have been always concerned about the foundations of the universe. The non-standard thinking of this Polish astronomer, mathematician, theologian, and physician allowed him to become the greatest scholar. He managed to refute the theory of the ancient Greeks, who were convinced that the Earth is the center of the universe and that the Sun and other planets revolve around it. The Polish scientist has substantiated and created a different, heliocentric theory of the world order.

CHILDHOOD

Nicolaus Copernicus was born in the German city of Torun on February 19, 1473. Previously, the borders between Prussia and Poland could hardly be called stable, they often changed, as well as the names of cities. At present, the town of Torun, the birthplace of the great scholar, is located on the territory of Poland.

The family of the future scientist was international and had many children. His father, also called Nicholas, was a merchant, a native of Krakow. Mother Barbara Watzenrode was German by nationality. Nicholas was the youngest child, he had an older brother and two sisters. As the sisters grew up, one of them became a nun, and the other got married and left Thorne. The older brother's name was Andrzej, throughout his life he will be Nicholas's faithful companion and comrade-in-arms. Both brothers received an excellent education and studied together at the best European universities.

The Copernicus family was prosperous and prosperous. But the time of prosperity suddenly ended, in 1482 a plague epidemic began in the European countries. A terrible disease claimed many lives, including the merchant Copernicus. Barbara also died seven years later. Round orphans were left without any means of substance. Their situation was catastrophic, but their uncle Lukasz Watzenrode, who served as a canon of the local diocese, intervened.

Canon Luke has taken an active part in caring for the orphaned children of his dead sister He was a highly educated person, he had a master's degree from the Jagiellonian University of Krakow, and a Ph.D. Luke served as a canon and later as a bishop. He understood perfectly well that only education would allow his pedigrees to find a place worthy in life.

When Nikolay graduated from a local school, he was 18 years old. The uncle decided that the brothers should study He gave them money for their studies and sent them to Krakow, where the Copernicus brothers became students of the Jagiellonian University. They studied at the Faculty of Arts, and this was a great start to a new stage in the life of Nicholas Copernicus, which led him to great scientific discoveries.

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY

Five years later, training at the University of Krakow was completed. The Copernicans have decided to go to Italy. They had no funds for the trip, so they had to turn back to their uncle, who at that time was already the Bishop of Emerland. The bishop did not have free money but offered the brothers an excellent way out. The Copernicans became canons of his diocese, got a salary three years in advance, and went abroad. The diocese granted the brothers long-term leave to continue their studies.

The Copernicans become students of the University of Bologna. They studied at the Faculty of Law, and the subject of study was ecclesiastical canon law. It was here that Nicholas meets Domenico Maria Novara. It was an astronomy teacher, a meeting with which the life of a young student radically changed.

IN 1497 COPERNICUS TOGETHER WITH NOVARA BEGAN TO ENGAGE IN ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS. THE RESULT OF THESE OBSERVATIONS WAS VERY INTERESTING SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND THE DISTANCE TO THE MOON IN QUADRATURE IS UNCHANGED IN DIFFERENT PHASES, WITH A FULL MOON AND A NEW MOON. THIS FACT WAS DECISIVE FOR COPERNICUS. HE QUESTIONED THE CORRECTNESS OF THE THEORY OF PTOLEMY, WHO CLAIMED THAT ALL CELESTIAL BODIES REVOLVE AROUND THE PLANET EARTH.

At the University of Bologna Copernicus studied law, mathematics, astronomy, and Greek. Astronomy attracted the most Polish students. But he was also successful in other disciplines, even finding the time to paint. A picture has come down to us that researchers consider a copy of the self-portrait of the great astronomer.

The Copernicus Brothers studied in Bologna for three years. After that, it was time to return home. The city of Frauenburg was nominated as the place of their service as canons. Arriving in this town, the Copernicans filed a petition to continue their studies. Having received permission, Nikolay and Andrzej went to Padua. Sometime before Nicholas lived in Rome. He was lecturing in mathematics. The listeners of the scientist were noble dignitaries and representatives of high society. The Pope, Alexander VI Borgia, and Nicholas introduced the fundamentals of astronomy.

At the University of Padua, the brothers studied medicine, acquiring not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. At the University of Ferrara, the subject of their study was theology, Nicholas left the walls of this educational institution, having a Ph. In 1506, the Copernicans returned to Poland. Nikolay at that time was 33 years old, and Andrzej was 42 years old. such an age for completing education was considered normal in those days

The church gave Nicholas the opportunity to get an excellent education in the best educational institutions of that time. Now it's time to pay off debt and build a career. He became not only a well-known theologian but also devoted time to scientific research.

Copernicus finished his work on the study of the universe at the end of his life. His books were only published after his death, and this saved the scientist from persecution and persecution of churchmen. We remember the sad fate of Giordano Bruno and Galileo.

ABOUT THE HELIOCENTRIC SYSTEM

After the first astronomical observations, Copernicus came to the conclusion that Ptolemy was wrong. He started to use primitive astronomical instruments, some of which he made himself. Observations with these simple instruments allowed him to deduce and substantiate a completely contrary theory, called heliocentric.

At that time there were not even the most simple telescopes. The lack of equipment for observing celestial bodies led the scientist to a big mistake. He believed that the distant stars and luminaries, which could be observed from the Earth, are placed and fixed on the sphere surrounding our planet. The scientist did not get rid of this delusion till the end of his life. Johannes Kepler eliminated and finalized some details of the Copernican theory, where the Polish astronomer stuck to the opinion of ancient Greek scientists.

FOR THIRTY YEARS COPERNICUS WROTE HIS MAIN BOOK. RHETICUS, A FAVORITE STUDENT OF THE POLISH ASTRONOMER, TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN THE PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK IN 1543. THE BOOK WAS PUBLISHED ON THE EVE OF THE DEATH OF THE SCIENTIST, HE MANAGED TO HOLD IN HIS HANDS The FRUITS OF HIS LIFE'S WORK.

Copernicus dedicated the book to Pope Paul III. The scientist is divided into six chapters. The first chapter was dedicated to the sphericity of the Earth, and the entire universe, in the second you can read about the basics of spherical astronomy and the rules that scientists use to calculate the location of planets and stars. In the third part, readers have learned about the nature of the equinoxes, and in the fourth - about the Moon. Copernicus dedicated the fifth part to all the planets, in the sixth chapter he explained the reasons for the change in latitudes. Many years of work has become a great contribution of scientist to the development of astronomy and the science of the universe.

Copernicus has become a world-famous scientist thanks to the creation of a revolutionary theory of the heliocentric system of the world. In addition, he studied to calculate the real movement of the planets, designed a hydraulic machine that supplied water to all city houses, co-authored the Copernicus-Gresham economic law, and developed a new monetary system for his country.

PERSONAL LIFE

After completing his studies, Nicholas Copernicus was a canon in Frombork for six years, an adviser to the bishop, and chancellor of the diocese. After the death of his uncle, he moved to Fraenburg where he became a canon His brother Andrzej fell ill with leprosy and Left Poland.

Nicholas was canon for four years. He was then invited to take the place of Chancellor of the Warmian diocese. For the next four years, he lived and worked in the city of Olsztyn. At that time there was a war, the Prussians fought the Teutonic Knights. In Olsztyn, Copernicus showed his talent as a military strategist, he was the head of the defense and defense of the fortress, which was able to withstand the pressure of the Teutons.

Nicholas returned to Frombroke in 1521. In addition to his direct duties, he proved himself to be a skilled healer. Copernicus' patients were his fellow canons, but he didn't refuse to help other residents of the city.

 

Nikolai fell in love for the first time at the age of 55. His chosen one was called Anna, she was the daughter of Matz Schilling, a friend of a scientist, a skilled metal carver. The astronomer met a young girl in his hometown. He couldn't marry Anna because he was a Catholic priest. They were forbidden to marry or have a relationship with a woman.

Copernicus tried to fight the rigid frame into which the church had driven him. Calling Anna a distant relative, he settled in her house as a housekeeper. But the love of Nicholas and Anna was short-lived, the new bishop called his subordinate, reminding him that a Catholic priest has no right to tempt the flock with his conduct. Anna left the house of Copernicus and then left the city completely.

CAUSE OF DEATH

Copernicus started to publish his works in the last years of his life. First, in 1542, his work on geometry was published, and just before his death, Nikolai managed to hold the book "On the Rotation of the Celestial Spheres" in his hands.

He died happy, surrounded by loved ones, in May 1543. Many investigators of the biography of Copernicus call the cause of his death a stroke. The ashes of the great scientist were solely reburied in the city of Frombrook already in the 21st century.