-
Eratosthenes discovered the Earth's circumference. By measuring Earth's circumference mathematically, he used two surface points to make the calculation. On summer solistice he observed that the pole he placed cast a shadow. It proved that the Sun wasn't directly up above but somewhat South. This was important because it helped early civilizations learn and see that the world is a bigger place than expected. -
Ptolemy invented the Ptolemaic system. The geocentric model was set up as the Earth in the center of the universe. While the Sun, stars, and other planets orbit around the Earth. This discovery was important because Ptolemy could accurately predict the movement of stars and planets. To prove his predictions, he decided that the planets must move in epicycles and the Earth moved along an equant. His work was called the Almagest and the Ptolemaic system was accepted for centuries. -
Copernicus came up with the Heliocentric Theory. He proposed that the Sun was in the center of the universe. While the planets orbited the Sun including the Earth. This discovery was important because it changed the views accurately for scientists to understand the design of the solar system better. Both mathematically and physically. -
Brahe developed the Tychonic system. The Tychonic system argued that the Earth was the center of the universe with the Sun, Moon, and stars orbiting the Earth. While the other planets orbit the Sun. This discovery was important because it showed us how the planets and the Sun were moving, while the Earth wasn't. -
Kepler discovered that the planets, including Earth moved around the Sun in elliptical orbits. He came up with three laws of planetary motion. The first law was created in 1605. One out of the three laws states that the squares of the times to complete one orbit are proportional to the cubes of the average distances from the Sun. This discovery is important because it proved that we are living in the Heliocentric Model of the solar system and not the geocentrism. -
Newton discovered the theory of universal gravitation. Newton calculated three laws that describe the motion of forces between objects. We call this Newton's laws. This discovery is important because it explains the reason why objects fall to the Earth and why planets move around in orbits. -
Einstein discovered the general theory of relativity. Einstein suggested that throughout the universe, the laws of physics were the same. That the speed of light in a vacuum is constant. He found that space and time are linked in a system known as space-time. He realized that giant objects caused distortion in space-time. Einstein's discovery is important because it gives us information about black holes, where the gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape.