Final answer:
Nicolaus Copernicus was the modern scientist who first proposed the theory that the planets orbited the sun, reviving the earlier idea by Aristarchus of Samos. It took nearly 300 years for the heliocentric model to become widely accepted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The modern scientist who first proposed the theory that planets orbited the sun, based on Aristarchus's earlier suggestions, was Nicolaus Copernicus. Although Aristarchus of Samos had initially proposed the idea that the Earth revolved around the Sun, his views were not widely accepted. It wasn't until Copernicus resurrected this idea in the 16th century that it began to gain serious attention. Over time, other astronomers, such as Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, and eventually Isaac Newton, expanded and solidified the heliocentric theory with their own discoveries and laws of planetary motion.
Copernicus faced significant resistance and fear from those who believed his theory challenged their fundamental beliefs. It would take nearly 300 years for the heliocentric model to be universally accepted. Despite initial opposition, Copernicus's contributions marked a pivotal shift in our understanding of the cosmos, leading to a more accurate model of our solar system.