heliocentric model

The **heliocentric model** is a scientific theory that places the Sun at the center of the solar system, with planets, including Earth, orbiting around it. This model was a revolutionary departure from the earlier geocentric model, which positioned Earth as the center. Developed and popularized by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century, the heliocentric model laid the foundation for modern astronomy and significantly advanced our understanding of planetary motion and the structure of the cosmos.