was nicholas capernicus the best astronomer

Originally posted by jacko11

At his times? Yes.
He was a genius!

wot time was that

Originally posted by jacko11
wot time was that

From Wikipedia:
"Nicolaus Copernicus (February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) was the first astronomer to formulate a scientifically based heliocentric cosmology that displaced the Earth from the center of the universe. His epochal book, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), is often regarded as the starting point of modern astronomy and the defining epiphany that began the Scientific Revolution."

As I said, a genius.

Originally posted by FabianFnas
From Wikipedia:
"Nicolaus Copernicus (February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) was the first astronomer to formulate a scientifically based heliocentric cosmology that displaced the Earth from the center of the universe. His epochal book, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), is often regarded as the starting point o ...[text shortened]... onomy and the defining epiphany that began the Scientific Revolution."

As I said, a genius.

Surely Aristarchus deserves some credit? Particularly as he was working without a telescope and without the aid of years of observation?

But most reckon Ptolemy was greater (even if he was wrong).

The Greatest of all time? Hubble!

what about Galileo

Originally posted by jacko11
what about Galileo

or Kepler?

Let's take it from the beginning again: was nicholas capernicus the best astronomer

No, he wasn't the best astronomer ever.
At his time, yes. For all times, no.

Originally posted by FabianFnas
Let's take it from the beginning again: [b]was nicholas capernicus the best astronomer

No, he wasn't the best astronomer ever.
At his time, yes. For all times, no.[/b]

who was then

Originally posted by jacko11
who was then

...or perhaps is?

Now when we have satellites, computers, instruments of the most sensitive kind we can all be good astronomers. But without a great mind we cannot go very far.

I think the title "best Astronomer of all times" shuold go to someone with an extrodinary kind of mind.

Who? I don't know, let's see what the Nobel Prize in Physics of the year of 2008 goes to. Perhaps it's him, or her?

Originally posted by FabianFnas
...or perhaps is?

Now when we have satellites, computers, instruments of the most sensitive kind we can all be good astronomers. But without a great mind we cannot go very far.

I think the title "best Astronomer of all times" shuold go to someone with an extrodinary kind of mind.

Who? I don't know, let's see what the Nobel Prize in Physics of the year of 2008 goes to. Perhaps it's him, or her?

That would be Professor Nambu from the U of Chicago, Kobayashi from Kek labs in Japan and Maskasawa from U Kyoto. Won on the properties of sub atomic particles. Nambu get the biggest portion, he is 87 years old, so it was about 30 years overdue. So not quite cosmology but more the fundamental underpinnings of particle science.