On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (Concise Edition)

Controversial at the time, Copernicus's discoveries led to the scientific revolution, and a greater understanding of our place in the universe.

An accessible, abridged edition with a new introduction. Renaissance Natural philosopher Nicolaus Copernicus's pioneering discovery of the heliocentric nature of the solar system is one of the few identifiable moments in history that define the understanding of the nature of all things. His great work was the consequence of long observation and resulted in the first stage of the Scientific Revolution by correctly positing that the earth and other planets of the solar system revolved around the sun. Not only did this promote further study to understand the place of humanity in the world and the universe, it questioned the authority of the organised Christian Church in the West to be the keeper of fundamental truths. Ultimately this would lead to the Enlightenment, and the separation of religion, government and science.

The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) was a Polish mathematician, astronomer, physician, classics scholar, translator, governor, diplomat and economist, who posited that the Earth orbited the Sun, and not the other way round as had been believed up until then. He started the Scientific Revolution which eventually disconnected the Church from its role as the sole arbiter of all truths.

Dr James Lees (introduction) is a Physicist, Author, and Science Communicator who studied at The University of York and Stanford. He works as a researcher and can be found giving talks and workshops across the UK at various educational festivals on a wide variety of scientific topics. He also has several other books including Physics in 50 Milestone Moments and Who Knew? Physics.

Professor Marika Taylor (Series Foreword) is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of School within Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton. Her research interests include all aspects of string theory, gravitational physics and quantum field theory. In recent years much of her work has been focused on holographic dualities and their implications. Marika's research has featured in such publications as Physical Review, Journal of High Energy Physics and General Relativity and Gravitation among others.