Final answer:
The pre-Kepler heliocentric model, otherwise known as the Copernican model, was no more accurate than the geocentric Ptolemaic model in predicting the locations of planets due to a lack of understanding of the actual elliptical nature of orbits. Both models were limited in their accuracy because they relied on the concept of perfect circular orbits. The more precise predictions became possible following Johannes Kepler’s formulation of laws of planetary motion and Newton's gravitational laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pre-Kepler heliocentric model of the solar system, also known as the Copernican model, was not significantly more accurate than the geocentric model, or Ptolemaic view, in predicting the locations of planets. The Ptolemaic model, named after the Greek philosopher Ptolemy, placed Earth at the center of the universe with the Moon, the planets, the Sun, and stars revolving around it. This model was rather complex, featuring multiple circular paths for different celestial bodies and lacking in understandings of the causes for these motions.
The Copernican model, on the other hand, placed the Sun at the center, with Earth being one amongst other planets revolving around the Sun. This model was simpler and seemed more symmetric compared to the Ptolemaic view. However, just like its geocentric counterpart, it could not accurately predict planet positions.
The breakthrough came with Johannes Kepler, who, by understanding that orbits were not perfect circles but ellipses, could significantly improve the accuracy of the model's predictions. It was not until the formulation of Kepler's laws of planetary motion and Newton's universal law of gravitation that the movements of the heavenly bodies could be precisely determined.
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