Scientific Revolution The series of events that led to the birth of modern science during the Renaissance.

Theories The explanation scientists develop to explain observed facts

Ptolemy An ancient Greek philosopher who wrote about astronomy, geography, and logic. He looked at the world in a rational, reasonable, and logical way. Ptolemy had believed that the sun and planets orbited around the earth.

What event led scholars to question the works of Ptolemy? Christopher Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean using a map created by Ptolemy. He thought he would reach Asia, but instead he ran into North America, a land mass Ptolemy knew nothing about.

Nicolaus Copernicus Polish astronomer who came up with the theory that the planets moved around the sun in circular orbits.

Copernicus Said that Ptolemy’s theory of an earth-centered universe made little sense Wrote the book On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres Came up with the theory that the earth and other planets move around the sun in circular orbits Inspired fresh thinking about science Copernicus Heliocentric Theory Video

Johannes Kepler German astronomer who discovered that the planets moved in elliptical (oval), not circular orbits around the sun

Johannes Kepler Discovered that the planets moved in elliptical orbits around the sun rather than circular orbits His basic ideas about the planets’ movements are still accepted by scientists today

Galileo Galilei Italian scientist who believed that scientific study would change the way people understood themselves and the world. He proved Copernicus’s theory that the earth moves around the sun.

Galileo The first person to study the sky with a telescope— perfected the telescope with a new lens Saw craters on the moon and discovered that moons orbit Jupiter Conducted experiments with mechanics (objects in motion)---said that 2 balls of different sizes will fall at the same speed Proved Copernicus’s theory that the earth moved around the sun

Sir Isaac Newton English scientist who is known to be one of the greatest scientists who ever lived. Some of his theories have been proven so many times that they have become laws.

Sir Isaac Newton Wrote Principia Mathematica Founded the Laws of Gravity and Motion Proved through experimentation that light is made up of all of the colors of the rainbow; it wasn’t just white like people had previously thought Invented the reflecting telescope—found in most large observatories today

Tycho Brahe Danish scientist who charted the positions of more than 750 stars during the late 1500’s He set an example for other scientists by emphasizing careful observation and detailed, accurate records so that scientists can learn from each other’s work.

Scientific Method A step-by-step process for performing experiments and other scientific research.

How did the scientific revolution affect the Catholic Church? Church officials feared that science might undermine their authority. The new findings made by scientists would show that the Church had been wrong about their teachings, which may cause people to doubt their faith. The church would end up losing its power and control over the people.

New Inventions A Dutch lens maker invents the Microscope Galileo invents the thermometer Galileo invents a new and improved telescope an Italian scientist invented the barometer