A remarkable feature in the life and work of Copernicus is that one can detect in them patterns and modes which were to characterize the future course of the scientific enterprise. It seems as though it was not simply a new era in science that Copernicus inaugurated; unknowingly, he also gave some indications of the nature of science and of the scientific mind in the centuries to follow.

This content is only available via PDF.
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.