What was a major contribution of Copernicus and Galilei to scientific thought?

Copernicus and Galilei were pivotal figures in the Scientific Revolution, fundamentally altering how humanity perceives its place in the cosmos. Their work marked a significant shift from reliance on philosophical and theological explanations of natural phenomena to more empirical and rational methods.

Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model of the solar system, proposing that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun. This challenged the long-standing geocentric model, which placed the Earth at the center of the universe. Galilei built upon Copernicus's ideas by using telescopic observations to provide evidence supporting the heliocentric model. His discoveries, such as the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus, demonstrated that celestial bodies did not conform to the previously accepted notions based solely on Earth-centric views.

The emphasis Copernicus and Galilei placed on observation, experimentation, and mathematical reasoning laid the groundwork for a scientific approach that emphasized evidence over dogma. This shift initiated a broader movement toward scientific inquiry, leading to the eventual development of the scientific method, which remains foundational in the natural sciences today. Therefore, the major contribution of these thinkers was indeed the initiation of scientific explanations for understanding the natural world, representing a departure from prior methods that relied heavily on tradition and