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The central
position of the sun is the noteworthy innovation of Nicolas Copernicus
(1473-1543). Technically, however, the system is not heliocentric:
the momentary center of revolution, C, represents the center of earth's
orbit, not a gemetric or physical center. Two other innovations are
also of interest. First, the use of a double epicycle for lunar motion,
and second, the model for Mercury--which has the planet liberating on the
center of an epicycle, rather than revolving around it. This simplified
drawing is not intended to represent relative planetary destances or radial
dimensions.
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