Geo- and helio-centric systems

Well into the Middle Ages, the sun and planets were thought to evolve around the earth. As early as 150 AD Greek astronomer and geographer Ptolemy had published "Almagest", in which he presented mathematical models to support the theory. Another Greek mathematician - Aristarchus - had suggested otherwise 400 years earlier, but as is apparent, his theories found no support. Thus, the universe was thought of as a geo-centric (earth centered) system.

Geo-centric system (britannica.com)

It was Copernicus and Kepler who – in the early 16th century – could prove the sun to be center of our system and describe the elliptical orbits of the planets. "Helios" being the personification of the sun in Greek mythology, the universe was henceforth a helio-centric system – a solar system.

Image of helio-centric system (wikipedia)

However, Copernicus discoveries met opposition from both the Catholic and Protestant church. As a result, his work "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" was added to the Catholic Church's list of forbidden books – Index liborum prohibitum – where it remained until 1835.

In 1633, Galilei Galileo was convicted by the Inquisition and forced to openly recant his support for the heliocentric theory. Despite doing so, Galileo remained under house arrest until he died nine years later. In 1992 – after 13(!) years of studies – a commission set down by Pope John Paul II to investigate Galileo case – concluded that it had been wrong for the Catholic Church to condemn Galileo.

For now at least, one has to conclude, that anyone advocating the helio-centric view of the universe or any associated views has had a hard time in our part of the world.