Final answer:
Nicolaus Copernicus' heliocentric model of the solar system helped scientists of the time better understand the solar system by allowing for accurate measurements of the sun's gravitational field, providing a more accurate explanation for the motion of planets, and opening up the possibility of discovering planets outside the solar system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nicolaus Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model of the solar system in the 1500s. This model helped scientists of the time better understand the solar system in several ways. Firstly, it allowed scientists to accurately measure the sun's gravitational field since the sun was now recognized as the center of the solar system.
Secondly, it provided a more accurate explanation for the motion of planets, allowing scientists to understand and predict their movements more accurately. Lastly, it opened up the possibility for scientists to discover planets outside the solar system, although this was not achieved until many years later.