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Biography of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

Brief biography:

Education: University of Padua, University of Krakow, University of Ferrara, University of Bologna

Place of birth: Toruń, Poland

Place of death: Frauenburg, Poland

– Polish astronomer, mathematician: biography with photos, main ideas and discoveries, contributions to science, heliocentric system of the world, the Sun in the center.

Accepted in modern times as the father of astronomy, he was born on February 19, 1473. starts in Toruń, Poland. He was the son of a successful merchant. After the death of his father, he was raised by his uncle, a wealthy Catholic bishop. It was his uncle who arranged for Copernicus to study at the University of Krakow, which was famous at that time for its mathematical, philosophical and astronomical studies. training programs. Copernicus later studied humanities in Bologna, medicine in Padua, and law at the University of Ferrarra. In 1500 he lectured on astronomy in Rome and in 1503 he graduated from Ferrara with the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. Soon after this, in 1507, Copernicus returned to Poland, where he was elected canonist of the church. He conscientiously fulfilled his ecclesiastical duties, but also practiced medicine, wrote a treatise on monetary reform, and eventually turned his attention to the topic of astronomy.

The interest in astronomy eventually developed into a major interest. During its biographies Nicolaus Copernicus he worked alone, without using outside help or consultations. All observations were made without the use of optical instruments, because the latter were invented only a hundred years later. Nicolaus Copernicus watched from a tower located on the protective wall surrounding the monastery. In 1530, Copernicus completed his first great work, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (On the Conversion celestial spheres). It was in this book that he argued that the Earth rotates on its axis once every day and travels around the Sun throughout the year. This was an unimaginably fantastic idea at the time. Before the time of Copernicus, thinkers Western world adhered to the Ptolemaic theory, according to which the universe was a closed space, limited by a spherical shell, beyond which there was nothing. They believed that the Earth was the center of the Universe and that the stars, planets and the Sun revolved around the stationary Earth. This was the famous geocentric (Earth-centered) theory. Copernicus was in no hurry to publish his book, as he was a perfectionist and believed that it was necessary to check and double-check his observations.

Thirteen years after it was written, in 1543, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium was finally published. Unfortunately, Copernicus died later that year and did not know about the great controversy he had created. It is said that he apparently received the first copy of his book on his deathbed when he died on May 24, 1543 in Frombork, Poland. His great book went against philosophical and religious beliefs which were planted in the Middle Ages. The Church argued that man was created by God in his own image and therefore is the next creature after him. That is, man is superior to all other creatures and was not at all part of the natural world. The Church feared that because of the teachings of Nicolaus Copernicus, people would believe that they were just part of the world, but not above it, which went against the theories of politically powerful churchmen of the time. His work forever changed man's place in outer space. The revelation of the heliocentric (sun-centered) theory marked the beginning of scientific revolution and a new look at the picture of the Universe.

The scientist who revealed to the world the true interaction of celestial bodies with each other was born at the end of the 15th century. Despite the ban on his works for inconsistency with the religious beliefs of his time, the scientist’s works were not lost. The great discoveries of Copernicus are the basis of school teachings and ideas about many areas of human life.

Copernicus made his discoveries not only in astronomy; they also affected physics, economics, mathematics, the laws of mechanics and medicine, contributing to more than one scientific revolution.

Early life

The future outstanding scientist was born in Poland, in 1473 in Toruń. Born in February, the boy was the fourth child in the family and received the name Nicholas, the same name as Copernicus’s father. Despite her Polish origin, Nikolai's mother was born German. The boy's father was a merchant, which allowed the child to receive a good education.

Until the age of ten, the Copernicus family lived quietly, but the outbreak of the plague not only claimed thousands of other people’s lives, it also affected Copernicus the Elder. The head of the family died, leaving the boy's mother as his successor. In 1489, the mother of the family also died. Then Nikolai’s uncle takes responsibility for the children, brother mother.

As a local bishop, Lukasz Watzenrode was known as a man endowed with the gift of diplomacy, an educated and well-read person. An intelligent relative, with a cool disposition and love for his younger nephew, became a real father for Nikolai. Seeing his successor in his nephew, Lukash gave the boy a good upbringing along with education.

Education

• The young man graduated from school at the age of fifteen. The next stage of his education took place at the Włocławsk school. Thanks to an interesting teacher, the young student became interested in astronomy.
• At the age of eighteen, the young man comes to Krakow, under the protection of his uncle, taking his brother with him. Having entered the Jagiellonian University, famous for its excellent educational programs, both brothers entered the Faculty of Arts. Thanks to the atmosphere around him, Copernicus developed critical thinking and thoroughly mastered the sciences he taught. His passion for astronomy moved to a deeper level.
• After graduating from university at twenty-four, Nikolai and his brother went to work in their uncle’s diocese as canons. Thus, the bishop accustoms young people to the idea that they need to earn money themselves to further study abroad.
• After two years of working as a canon, Copernicus goes to Italy, where he intends to continue his studies. Lukash makes sure that his nephew receives a vacation for a period of three years and a salary.
• Having entered the University of Bologna, the student chooses to study at a law school. There he mastered Greek and continued to study astronomy. In addition to his passion for painting, studying abroad brings the guy an acquaintance with the scientist who revived European mathematics.
• During his stay in Italy, Copernicus makes a joint discovery with the professor, speaking about equal distance to the Moon in square, regardless of the full moon or new moon. So Nicholas for the first time begins to doubt the veracity of Ptolemy’s statements.
• Three years later, Copernicus returns to Poland. Just like after his first education, he remains without a scientific degree. Returning to their place of duty, the brothers ask for an additional delay in order to complete their education. Having received consent, in 1503 Nicholas received the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. Having undergone medical training during this time, Copernicus remained in Italy and practiced medicine.

Merits in science

After three years of medical practice, Copernicus travels to his homeland, where he works for his uncle as both a confidant and a physician. After the bishop's death, the nephew moves to a small town, where he continues to work in the church and conduct scientific observations.

Having built an observatory in the tower of the fortress, the astronomer continues his work alone, without accepting help. By the thirtieth year of the 16th century, Copernicus completed his work, determining that the Earth rotates around the sun in a year, and around its axis in a day.

Being a fantastic idea, this idea spread the news of the astronomer throughout Europe. There was no negative response to the bold idea. However, the scientist did not rush to publish the book, hoping to double-check his ideas and observations. The verification took about forty years, and in 1543 the master’s greatest work was published. At this time, Copernicus could no longer rejoice at the news, because he was in a coma.

Death of a Scientist

Nicolaus Copernicus died after two months in a coma. The scientist's death occurred in the spring of 1543 due to a stroke.

Until 2005, Copernicus' grave was unknown. The remains of the greatest astronomer were found by chance, as a result of excavations carried out by archaeologists. Their authenticity was established by DNA testing. Five years later, the remains of Copernicus buried in cathedral city ​​of Frombork.

Name: Nicolaus Copernicus

Age: 70 years old

Activity: astronomer, mathematician, mechanic, economist, Renaissance canon

Marital status: wasn't married

Nicolaus Copernicus: biography

Nicolaus Copernicus is an outstanding Polish astronomer of the Renaissance, mathematician, theologian, and physician. The scientist refuted the theory put forward by the ancient Greeks, according to which the planets and the Sun revolve around the Earth, created and substantiated a new, heliocentric theory of the world order.

Nicolaus Copernicus was the fourth child in the family of a German woman, Barbara Watzenrode, and Nicolaus Copernicus, a merchant from Krakow. Over time, the borders of states and names have changed repeatedly, so the question of where, in what country the scientist was born, often arises. This happened in the Prussian city of Thorn on February 19, 1473. Today the town is called Toruń and is located on the territory of modern Poland.

Nicholas had two older sisters, one later became a nun, and the other got married and left the city. The elder brother Andrzej became Nikolai's faithful comrade-in-arms and companion. Together they traveled half of Europe, studying at the best universities.

The Copernicians lived in prosperity and prosperity as long as the father of the family was alive. When Nicholas was nine years old, a plague epidemic broke out in Europe, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Became a victim terrible disease and Copernicus the Elder, and a few years later, in 1489, his mother also died. The family was left without a livelihood, and the children were orphans. Everything could have ended badly if not for Barbara’s uncle, Lukasz Watzenrode, a canon of the local diocese.

Being an educated man at that time, Luke had a master's degree from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and a doctorate in canon law from the University of Bologna, and subsequently served as a bishop. Luka took upon himself the care of the children of his deceased sister and tried to educate Nikolai and Andrzej.

After graduation Nikolai local school In 1491, the brothers, under the patronage and funds of their uncle, went to Krakow, where they entered the Jagiellonian University to study at the Faculty of Arts. This event marked the beginning of a new stage in the biography of Copernicus, the first on the path to future great discoveries in science and philosophy.

Science

After graduating from the University of Krakow in 1496, the Copernicus brothers set off on a trip to Italy. Funds for the trip were initially planned to be obtained from his uncle, the Bishop of Emerland, but he did not have any free money. Luke invited his nephews to become canons of his own diocese and use the salary they received to go study abroad. In 1487, Andrzej and Nicholas were accepted into the position of canons in absentia, with a salary paid in advance and a three-year leave for study.

The brothers entered the University of Bologna at the Faculty of Law, where they studied church canon law. In Bologna, fate brought Nicholas together with an astronomy teacher, Domenico Maria Novara, and this meeting became decisive for the young Copernicus.

Together with Novara in 1497, the future scientist made the first astronomical observation in his life. The result was the conclusion that the distance to the Moon is the same in quadrature, during the new moon and the full moon. This observation first made Copernicus doubt the truth of the theory that everything celestial bodies revolve around the Earth.

In addition to studying works on law, mathematics and astronomy in Bologna, Nikolai studied Greek and was interested in painting. A painting that is considered a copy of Copernicus’s self-portrait has survived to this day.

After studying in Bologna for three years, the brothers left the university and returned to their homeland in Poland for some time. In the city of Frauenburg, at the place of service, Copernicus asked for a deferment and a few more years to continue his studies. According to some sources, during this period Nicholas lived in Rome and gave lectures on mathematics to noble dignitaries from high society, and Borgia helped Pope Alexander VI master the laws of astronomy.

In 1502, the Copernicus brothers arrived in Padua. At the University of Padua, Nikolai acquired fundamental knowledge and practical experience in medicine, and at the University of Ferrara he received a doctorate in theology. As a result of this extensive study, Copernicus returned home in 1506 as a well-rounded adult.

"Copernicus. Conversation with God." Artist Jan Matejko

By the time they returned to Poland, Nikolai was already 33 years old, and his brother Andrzej was 42 years old. At that time, this age was considered generally accepted for obtaining university diplomas and completing education.

Copernicus's further activities are connected with his position as canon. The brilliant scientist managed to make a career as a clergyman while simultaneously engaging in scientific research. He was lucky that his works were completed only at the end of his life, and his books were published after his death.

Copernicus happily escaped the persecution of the church for his radical views and the teaching of the heliocentric system, which his successors and successors failed to do. After the death of Copernicus, the scientist’s main ideas, reflected in the work “On the Rotations of the Celestial Spheres,” spread unhindered throughout Europe and the world. It was not until 1616 that this theory was declared heresy and banned by the Catholic Church.

Heliocentric system

Nicolaus Copernicus was one of the first to think about the imperfection of the Ptolemaic system of the universe, according to which the Sun and other planets revolve around the Earth. Using primitive astronomical instruments, partly homemade, the scientist was able to derive and substantiate the theory of heliocentric solar system.

At the same time, until the end of his life, Copernicus believed that distant stars and luminaries visible from the Earth were fixed on a special sphere surrounding our planet. This misconception was caused by the imperfection of technical means of that time, because in Renaissance Europe there was not even a simple telescope. Some details of Copernicus's theory, in which the ancient Greek astronomers were of the opinion, were subsequently eliminated and refined by Johannes Kepler.

The main work of the scientist’s entire life was the fruit of thirty years of work and was published in 1543 with the participation of Copernicus’s favorite student, Rheticus. The astronomer himself had the good fortune of holding the published book in his hands on the eve of his death.

The work dedicated to Pope Paul III was divided into six parts. The first part talked about the sphericity of the Earth and the entire universe, the second told about the basics of spherical astronomy and the rules for calculating the location of stars and planets on firmament. The third part of the book is devoted to the nature of the equinoxes, the fourth - to the Moon, the fifth - to all planets, the sixth - to the reasons for changes in latitudes.

The teachings of Copernicus are a great contribution to the development of astronomy and the science of the universe.

Personal life

From 1506 to 1512, during his uncle’s lifetime, Nicholas served as a canon in Frombork, then became an adviser to the bishop, and then the chancellor of the diocese. After the death of Bishop Luke, Nikolai moves to Fraenburg and becomes a canon of the local cathedral, and his brother, who fell ill with leprosy, leaves the country.

In 1516, Copernicus received the post of chancellor of the Warmia diocese and moved to the city of Olsztyn for four years. Here the scientist was caught in the war that Prussia waged with the knights of the Teutonic Order. The cleric showed himself to be a surprisingly competent military strategist, managing to ensure proper defense and protection of the fortress, which withstood the onslaught of the Teutons.

In 1521 Copernicus returned to Frombrok. He practiced medicine and was known as a skilled healer. According to some reports, Nicolaus Copernicus relieved illnesses and alleviated the lot of many sick people, mostly his fellow canons.

In 1528, in his declining years, the astronomer fell in love for the first time. The scientist's chosen one turned out to be young girl Anna, daughter of Copernicus's friend, metal carver Matz Schilling. The acquaintance took place in the scientist’s hometown, Toruń. Since Catholic clergy were forbidden to marry or have relationships with women, Copernicus settled Anna with him as a distant relative and housekeeper.

However, soon the girl had to leave first from the scientist’s house, and then completely leave the city, since the new bishop made it clear to his subordinate that the church did not welcome this state of affairs.

Death

In 1542, Copernicus's book On the Sides and Angles of Triangles, Both Plane and Spherical, was published in Wittenberg. The main work was published in Nuremberg a year later. The scientist was dying when his students and friends brought the first printed copy of the book “On the Rotation of the Celestial Spheres.” The great astronomer and mathematician died at home in Frombork, surrounded by loved ones on May 24, 1543.

Copernicus's posthumous fame corresponds to the merits and achievements of the scientist. Thanks to portraits and photographs, the astronomer’s face is known to every schoolchild; monuments stand in different cities and countries, and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland is named in his honor.

Copernicus's discoveries

• creation and substantiation of theory heliocentric system peace, which marked the beginning of the first scientific revolution;
• development of a new coinage system in Poland;
• construction of a hydraulic machine that supplied water to all houses in the city;
• co-author of the Copernican-Gresham economic law;
• calculation of real planetary motion.

- an outstanding Polish astronomer who laid the foundation for a new idea of ​​the world system, abandoning the previous teaching about the position of the Earth as the center of the universe, which had existed for many centuries. In his brilliant work “On the Rotation of the Celestial Spheres,” the scientist proves that the observed movements of the celestial bodies are the result of the rotation of the Earth around its axis and the revolution of the planets around the Sun. The brilliant scientist, creator of a new idea of ​​the world, was born in the Polish city of Torun on February 19, 1473 in the family of a merchant who moved with his family from Germany. His father was a native of Krakow, his mother was German. There were four children in the family, Nikolai was youngest child. At first he studied at the school at the church. Unfortunately, during the plague, his father passed away and his maternal uncle, Canon Luke Watzenrode, took care of nine-year-old Nicholas. In 1491, together with his older brother, Nicholas went to Krakow, where he entered the university. With exemplary zeal, he studies theology, mathematics, medicine, and is interested in astronomy. He continued his further studies at the University of Bologna, where he entered the Faculty of Law in 1496, where there was a department of civil and canon law.

Copernicus's uncle, who became a bishop, helped his nephew's career. In 1498, Copernicus was confirmed in absentia as a canon of the Frombork Chapter. From 1500 he studied medicine at the University of Padua, after which he became a doctor of canon law. He lived in Italy for another three years, practicing medicine. In 1503, he returned to Krakow, where he served as secretary and confidant to his uncle, the bishop, and at the same time his personal doctor. While a secretary, Copernicus was a professor at the University of Krakow and at the same time engaged in astronomical observations.

After the death of his uncle, he moved to the small town of Frombork on the banks of the Vistula, where he was listed as a canon since 1498. Here he began the main duties of a canon, and devoted all his leisure time to astronomy. In addition, he treated the sick free of charge, invented and built a hydraulic machine to supply city houses with water, and he is the author of the project for a new coin system, which will then be introduced in Poland. While engaged in astronomical research, Copernicus was working on a new, his own model of the world. Having become acquainted with the works of ancient philosophers, studying the Ptolemaic system of the world, noticing its artificiality and complexity, Copernicus makes a stunning conclusion: it is the Sun, and not the Earth, that is the fixed center of the Universe. Brilliant in depth, but due to lack of funds, Copernicus was forced to conduct his observations using simple instruments made with his own hands. Around 1516, Copernicus wrote his Small Commentary, where he outlined his hypotheses regarding the celestial movements. Full development new system Copernicus will devote almost 40 years. In 1520, during the war with the crusaders, Copernicus took command of the small garrison of Olsztyn, strengthened the defenses of the fortress and managed to hold it. After the truce, in the spring of 1521, he was appointed Commissioner of Warmia. In 1523 Copernicus became chancellor of the chapter.

Since 1531, the scientist’s health began to deteriorate; he was only engaged in the development of the heliocentric system and medical practice. After decades of hard work, numerous observations and complex calculations, Copernicus proved that all planets, incl. and the Earth revolve around the Sun. Over the course of 365 days, the Earth revolves around the Sun, moving in its orbit. This statement completely refuted the system of the world structure, which was proposed by Ptolemy and had existed by that time for almost 1.5 thousand years. Coinciding with the teachings of the Catholic Church, Ptolemy's theory was considered unshakable and was fully supported by the church. Copernicus escaped persecution by the Catholic Church, although he was accused of heresy. And only in 1616 catholic church introduced an official ban on adhering to the Copernican theory, which proved the heliocentric system of the world, which contradicted Scripture. From 1616 to 1828 his book was included in the “Index” of banned books. Before his death, friends and like-minded people brought the scientist the first printed copy of his life’s work, “On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres.” However, Copernicus, who had fallen into a coma, no longer saw this. The great scientist died at home on May 24, 1543... Here, in Frombork, he was buried in the cathedral. In the 19th century, monuments to Copernicus were erected in Thorn, Krakow, Warsaw, and Regensburg. It is interesting that every year in all countries of the world stamps are issued with portraits of outstanding scientists, artists, writers, politicians, generals. Today you can buy postage stamps in the online store. The Polish astronomer Copernicus is the most popular astronomer in terms of the number of stamps issued in his honor. In 1923, the first stamp dedicated to Copernicus was issued in Poland. For several decades, all countries issued stamps dedicated only to their astronomer. But in 1947, a stamp with a portrait of M. Lomonosov was issued in Romania, and in 1953, a stamp in honor of Copernicus was issued by China, in 1955 by the USSR, and in 1957 by France. In 1973, 47 countries of the world issued about 200 stamps and postage blocks in honor of the 500th anniversary of the famous scientist. It is significant that even the Vatican celebrated Copernicus’s anniversary with four stamps.

Nicolaus Copernicus (Polish: Mikołaj Kopernik, German: Niklas Koppernigk, Latin: Nicolaus Copernicus). Born on February 19, 1473 in Torun - died on May 24, 1543 in Frombork. Polish astronomer, mathematician, mechanic, economist, canon of the Renaissance. He is best known as the author of the heliocentric system of the world, which marked the beginning of the first scientific revolution.

Born in Torun into a merchant family, he lost his parents early. Torun became part of Poland just a few years before the birth of Copernicus; before that, the city bore the name Thorn and was part of Prussia, which belonged to the Teutonic Order.

The question of Copernicus's ethnicity still remains the subject of a (rather unpromising) debate. His mother was German (Barbara Watzenrode), his father's nationality is unclear, but it is known that he was a native of Krakow. Thus, ethnically Copernicus was German or half-German, although he himself may have considered himself a Pole (by territorial and political affiliation). He wrote in Latin and German, not a single document in Polish language, written in his hand, was not found; after early death father, he was raised in a German family by his mother and uncle. Niccolo Komneno Popadopoli spread an unproven - and, according to modern historians, invented by himself - story that Copernicus allegedly enrolled at the University of Padua as a Pole. It should be noted that the concept of nationality in those years was much more blurred than it is today, and some historians suggest that Copernicus be considered a Pole and a German at the same time.

In the Copernicus family, besides Nicholas, there were three more children: Andrei, later a canon in Warmia, and two sisters: Barbara and Katerina. Barbara went into a monastery, and Katerina married and gave birth to five children, to whom Nicolaus Copernicus was very attached and cared for them until the end of his life.

Having lost his father as a 9-year-old child and remaining in the care of his maternal uncle, Canon Lukasz Watzenrode, Copernicus entered the University of Krakow in 1491, where he studied mathematics, medicine and theology with equal zeal, but he was especially attracted to astronomy.

Upon graduation from the university (1494), Copernicus did not receive any academic title, and family council decided that he had a spiritual career ahead of him. A strong argument in favor of this choice was that the patron uncle had just been elevated to the rank of bishop.

To continue his education, Copernicus went to Italy (1497) and entered the University of Bologna. In addition to theology, law and ancient languages, he had the opportunity to study astronomy there. It is interesting to note that one of the professors in Bologna was then Scipio del Ferro, with whose discoveries the revival of European mathematics began. Meanwhile, thanks to the efforts of his uncle, in Poland Copernicus was elected in absentia as a canon in the diocese of Warmia.

In 1500, Copernicus left the university, again without receiving any diploma or title, and went to Rome. Rheticus' memoirs say that Copernicus taught a number of disciplines at the Roman university, including astronomy, but other biographers question this fact. Then, after a short stay in his homeland, he went to the University of Padua and continued studying medicine.

In 1503, Copernicus finally completed his education, passed the exams in Ferrara, received a diploma and the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. He was in no hurry to return and, with the permission of his uncle-bishop, spent the next three years practicing medicine in Padua.

In 1506, Copernicus received news, perhaps far-fetched, of his uncle's illness. He left Italy and returned to his homeland. He spent the next 6 years at the episcopal castle of Heilsberg, engaged in astronomical observations and teaching in Krakow. At the same time, he is a doctor, secretary and confidant of Uncle Lukash.

In 1512, the uncle-bishop died. Copernicus moved to Frombork, a small town on the shores of the Vistula Lagoon, where he had been a canon all this time, and began his spiritual duties. Scientific research he, however, did not quit. The northwestern tower of the fortress became an observatory.

Already in the 1500s, the idea of ​​a new astronomical system it was quite clear to him. He began to write a book describing a new model of the world, discussing his ideas with friends, among whom were many of his like-minded people (for example, Tiedemann Giese, Bishop of Kulm). During these years (ca. 1503-1512), Copernicus circulated among friends a handwritten summary of his theory ("Small Commentary on the Hypotheses Relating to the Celestial Motions"), and his student Rheticus published a clear exposition of the heliocentric system in 1539. Apparently, rumors about new theory were widely distributed already in the 1520s. Working on the main task - "On the rotation of the celestial spheres"- lasted almost 40 years, Copernicus constantly introduced clarifications into it, prepared new astronomical calculation tables.

Rumors about a new outstanding astronomer were spreading in Europe. There is a version, not supported by documents, that Pope Leo X invited Copernicus to take part in the preparation of the calendar reform (1514, implemented only in 1582), but he politely refused.

When necessary, Copernicus devoted his energies and practical work: according to his project, a new coin system was introduced in Poland, and in the city of Frombork he built a hydraulic machine that supplied water to all houses. Personally, as a doctor, he was involved in the fight against the plague epidemic of 1519. During the Polish-Teutonic War (1519-1521), he organized the successful defense of the bishopric from the Teutons. At the end of the conflict, Copernicus took part in peace negotiations (1525), which ended with the creation of the first Protestant state on the order lands - the Duchy of Prussia, a vassal of the Polish crown.

In 1531, 58-year-old Copernicus retired and concentrated on finishing his book. At the same time, he practiced medicine (free of charge). The faithful Rheticus constantly worked for the speedy publication of Copernicus's work, but progress was slow. Fearing that the obstacles would prove insurmountable, Copernicus circulated among his friends short summary his work entitled “Small Commentary” (Commentariolus). In 1542, the scientist’s condition deteriorated significantly, and paralysis of the right half of the body occurred.

Copernicus died on May 24, 1543 at the age of 70 from a stroke. Some biographers (for example, Tiedemann Giese) claim that the author managed to see his work published shortly before his death. But others argue that this was impossible, since recent months During his life, Copernicus was in a severe coma.

The book of Copernicus has remained as an outstanding monument to human thought.

The location of Copernicus's tomb is very long time remained unknown, but during excavations at Frombork Cathedral in 2005, a skull and leg bones were discovered. A comparative DNA analysis of these remains and two hairs of Copernicus, found in one of his books, confirmed that the remains of Copernicus were found.

On May 20, 2010, the reburial ceremony for the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus began. On May 21, the coffin was delivered to the cathedral of Frombork, where Copernicus made his most important discoveries. On the way to Frombork, the coffin passed through several cities of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship - Dobre Miasto, Lidzbark Warminski, Orneta, Pienierzno and Braniewo, with which Copernicus was associated in the course of his activities. On May 22, 2010, the remains of the great scientist were buried in Frombork Cathedral. The solemn ceremony was performed by the Primate of Poland, Archbishop of Gniezno Józef Kowalczyk. The burial of the remains was also timed to coincide with the celebration of the 750th anniversary of the city.