Final answer:
Nicolaus Copernicus was responsible for initially proposing the heliocentric system, which was later supported by the observations and analyses of Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo Galilei. Isaac Newton's work helped to solidify its acceptance by connecting it with his laws of motion and universal gravitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to the Heliocentric System
Nicolaus Copernicus is credited with introducing the heliocentric system in his work, which challenged the long-standing Aristotle's geocentric model. The idea that Earth and other planets orbit the Sun rather than the Earth being the center of the universe was revolutionary at the time.
Contributions from Others
Ongoing support for the heliocentric model came from various scholars. Tycho Brahe's precise measurements were analyzed by Johannes Kepler, who established the elliptical orbits of planets with his laws of planetary motion. Galileo Galilei's telescopic observations further bolstered the case for Copernicus's theory, especially with the discovery of Jupiter's moons and the phases of Venus.
Ultimately, it was Isaac Newton who unified terrestrial and celestial mechanics, showing that the same force that causes objects to fall to Earth also keeps the planets in their orbits around the Sun.
The Shift in Thought and Acceptance
Despite the initial resistance against the heliocentric model, especially from the Catholic Church, the accumulation of empirical evidence by scientists like Kepler and Galileo eventually led to widespread acceptance of the heliocentric system. The transition from philosophical reasoning to empirical evidence marked a significant shift in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.