The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-12
! GREAT ASTRONOMER


OF PLANETARY REVOLUTION
A PRIEST AND CANON or
FRAUEN5URG.
Another world-renowned ilIustra-
ton of the helpful attitude Of the
Church towards science, is presented
in the career of the priestly scientist
and astronomer, Nicholaus Coperni-
Gus, who was the first to unfold to
the understanding of the world the
system of planetary revolutions, and
whose wonderful discoveries in
astronomical science were eagerly
aVailed of by Columbus, while engaged
under the patronage of the Vatican
in the studies which inspired him
finally to devote his life's energies to
undertaking the voyage westward
around the planet, the resolve which
resulted in the discovery of the
American continent with all its at
tending advantages to civilization.
Copernicus was native of Thorn,
which at that time was a part of Pc
land, but has since been annexed to
Russia. He was born on February
10, 1873. His father having died
when he was quite young, his educa-
ton was undertaken by his uncle,
Lukas Watzelrode, subsequent (1489)
Bishop of Ermeland After a course
of instruction at the school In Thorn,
he entered the University of Cracow
in 1491, and during four years studied
mathematical science under Albert
Brudzewski, devoting his spare time
to painting. At the age of twenty
tended the lectures of Dominica Maria
Novarra, professor of astronomy there.
He next spent some years at Padua,
where, in addition to mathematics and
astronomy, he applied himself to
medicine, in which, in 1899, he took
the degree of doctor.
In 1900 he was at Rome, enjoying
the friendship of the astronomer Regi-
omontanus, and fulfilling with distinc-
ton the duties of a chair of mathe-
MATES. Copernicus had already been
for some time member of the chap
ter of Frauenburg, at which place he
was stationed in 1903. His time was
now engaged in clerical work, in CIV
ing gratuitous medical aid to the
poor, and, though with but a slender
stock of instruments, in the prosecu-
ton of his favorite studies. The
| house which he occupied at Allen
stein is still to be seen, with the per-
forations which he made in the walls
of his chamber in order to observe
the passage of the stars across the
meridian; also the remains of a n.y.
draulic machine, similar to that at
Marty, which he constructed for the
purpose of raising the water of rivu-
let for the supply of Frauenburg.
By his Bishop and fellow Canons,
Copernicus was employed in defend
ing their rights and privileges against
the encroachments of the Teutonic
Knights; and when sent as Deputy
to the Diet of Grodno, he busted him.
self in considering the means of
improving the corrupt coinage, and
wrote paper on that subject, which
was placed among the archives of the
Diet. Copernicus sought, by COM
parative study of the various astrono-
mical systems of the ancients, to
evolve from them a single system at
once simple and consistent. Accord
ing to the hypothesis Of the ancient
Egyptians, Mercury and Venus re-
volved round the sun, which itself
moved around the earth
Various other theories were ad-
vanced by other scientists, and all
their different systems were carefully
studied and compared by this indefa-
tigable student of the heavens. From
the various ill-founded and unshapely
theories of his predecessors Copper
nicus gathered the material of erect
ing solid and imposing structure
| the system with which his name is
connected. This was expounded in a
treatise, the preparation of which oc
cupied its author from about 1907 to
1880.
This work Copernicus long delayed
bringing before the world, being con-
tent to defer for while the popular
outcry against himself, which, as a
setter forth of truths hitherto I'M
known to science, and as an impugner
of the rights of time-honored dogma
tism, he must be prepared to endure.
At length, however, yielding to the
| opportunities of his friends, he per-
mitted the publication of the book,
which he dedicated to Pope Paul III,
in order, as he says, that he might
not be accused of seeking to shun the
judgment of enlightened men, and
that the authority of his Holiness, if
he approved it, might protect him
from the baleful tooth of calumny.
The first copy of his great work was
placed in the hands of Copernicus on
the very day of his death, May "a,
1913. The tower from which he
made his observations and the ruins
of hydraulic machine constructed by
him are still preserved at Frauenburg,
and splendid monuments to his mem
DRY have been erected at Cracow, War
saw and other places in Europe