Who proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system?

The heliocentric model of the solar system, which places the Sun at the center with the planets, including Earth, orbiting around it, was proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus. His revolutionary idea was a significant departure from the geocentric model that had dominated astronomical thought, which positioned Earth at the center of the universe. Copernicus's work laid the groundwork for future astronomers and fundamentally changed our understanding of the solar system.

His book, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), published in 1543, detailed this model and set the stage for later astronomers, such as Galileo and Kepler, to further explore and validate the heliocentric theory. Copernicus is recognized as a pivotal figure in the Scientific Revolution, and his model was critical in advancing the study of astronomy, leading ultimately to our modern understanding of the cosmos.