-
240 BCE
Eratosthenes
Calculation of the Earth's circumference
240 BC
Pioneered a method to measure the Earth's size using the angle of the Sun's rays, establishing an early understanding of geography and the Earth's dimensions. -
200 BCE
Claudius Ptolemy
Geocentric Model of the Universe
Second century AD
Created a comprehensive system explaining planetary motion and celestial events, though later replaced by the heliocentric model -
1514
Nicolaus Copernicus
The Sun is positioned at the center of the solar system in the heliocentric paradigm.
1514
The geocentric paradigm was challenged, the foundation for modern astronomy was formed, and comprehension of the cosmos was altered. -
1572
Tycho Brahe
Observation of a supernova
1572
Aristotelian belief in an unchanging cosmos was challenged, observational astronomy was advanced, and the transition from geocentric to heliocentric models was influenced. -
Johannes Kepler
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
1600
Revolutionized understanding of planetary orbits -
Sir Isaac Newton
Universal Law of Gravitation
1687
explained how gravity governs the motion of celestial bodies -
Albert Einstein
The General Theory of Relativity is used to explain gravitational lensing.
1915
It provided a new understanding of how gravity influences light, which was validated by future astronomical data, and it opened up new avenues for research into dark matter, dark energy, and cosmic events.