The Renaissance that came to replace the somber Medieval centuries brought outstanding discoveries in natural sciences. This was the time when Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) developed his theory which was to produce a dramatic transformation in people's view of the world. First of all, this new concept eliminated the impenetrable barrier between the terrestrial and the celestial. Before, everything celestial was a symbol of perfection, of eternity, and of ideals. Heavenly bodies were ideal, as was their uniform motion along circular orbits. This perfection was in opposition with the rough terrestrial matter and its chaotic irregular motion. Copernicus' model showed the Earth to be an ordinary planet which revolves, just as other planets, around the Sun.

Nicolaus Copernicus became a canon of a Catholic church in Frauenberg [Frombork], a small town on the banks of the Vistula in Poland, in 1510. In quiet solitude, he worked on his astronomy. In fact, he spent his free hours on other things as well. He treated patients for no fee. A new monetary system was introduced in Poland following his proposal. He designed and constructed a hydraulic machine to supply water to households.

Copernicus was very careful about publishing his results; he clearly recognized the contradiction with the church's teaching of the singular position of the Earth and man in the Universe. His treatise, On the Revolution of Celestial Spheres, dedicated to Pope Paul III (this was agreed upon with the Holy See) was printed in 1543, not long before Copernicus' death.