Copernicus and the Trial of Galileo

In the 1500's, there were two main theories of the solar system. Heliocentrism, and geocentrism were the two main theories of the solar system. Geocentrism is the belief that the Earth was the center of the universe. Geocentrism goes way back until Ancient Greece around 500-400 BC. Heliocentrism is the belief that the sun is the center of the universe. Heliocentrism began in the late 1500 to 1600's AD. Heliocentrism has been proven by many scientists today. Unfortunately, in the 1600's, Heliocentrism was not very accepted because the Catholic Church taught Geocentrism to its followers.

On 1632, Galileo Galilei was summoned to Rome for a trial because he went against the Catholic Church. In the 17th Century, the Catholic Church was extremely powerful; almost to the point that it ruled people's lives (absolutism). Because Galileo spread his ideas and tried to raise awareness to people, the Church was aggrivated. After many, many long weeks, Galileo was released where he was allowed to stay in his small farmhouse in Arcetri, and in 1641, he died.