Would Copernicus Roll Over In His Grave?: Over A Quarter Of Americans Surveyed Unaware Earth Revolves Around Sun

Morguefile

Morguefile

NY Daily News: Feb 18, 2014

Cited

 'One quarter of Americans don't know the Earth revolves around the sun, study finds Copernicus would be sad: In the survey of more than 2,200 people conducted in 2012, only 74% appeared to know the answer to a basic astronomy question.'

Cited

'The Earth revolves around the sun, as the brilliant Copernicus said 500 years ago. But apparently many Americans believe otherwise. It's good Copernicus was not around to see this.'

Cited

'In the survey of more than 2,200 people conducted in 2012, only 74% appeared to know basic astronomy. That means at least 550 people in the study got it wrong — and it's only been 500 years since legendary astronomer and mathematician Copernicus formulated a heliocentric model of the universe that placed the sun at the center.'

My Facebook comment

'Not that I support dictatorship or for that matter theocracy (in this realm), but when I see reports like this it does make me ponder when I see in the West that the majority support this or that view. Twenty-five percent + is not a majority but a significant number and I wonder if on many issues persons lack significant knowledge, reflection and willingness to learn.'

Further from Facebook

'It is not always the main matter of knowing something, but rather being open to learning something. And by the way, even without a science degree I reasoned a more technical reply was probably reasonable, but the article explains in basic terms.'

From The Oxford Dictionary of Science

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer who also studied mathematics and optics; by 1514 he formulated his proposal that the planets in the solar system orbit the sun in circular paths. Not formally published until he died. His views were opposed by many in the church and other astronomers. Oxford (2010: 194).

A Facebook friend John pointed out that the earth is actually orbiting in a barycentre which I document is 'the centre of mass of a system'. Oxford (2010: 75).

Oxford Dictionary of Science, (2010), Sixth Edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Note on my use of photos

In regard to my other, main blog. Had a complaint via email, I think based on Stat Counter, although it could be redirected, from Boulder, Colorado. Often times Site Meter will state nothing for location, or one location and Stat Counter another. Sometimes they agree. Stat Counter has more locations listed, but I think Site Meter is probably more accurate, based on when I think I know the person, more often.

A photographer was 'appalled' that I used some of his photos that he claims were undocumented. They were among my oldest photos from my desktop photos from several computers ago. He claimed I 'stole'. I deleted them from my photos and my posts at once. I explained I did not steal as I documented as from Google Images and his name was on them. That kind of documentation is common ethical practice today. Even so, I do not want to offend anyway or damage rights, so I will likely post shared Facebook and Google+ photos from now on and photos from share sites. Trekearth seems ambiguous as I saw no warning on their site having looked more than once and yet Wikipedia states trekearth photos are not meant to be shared for sites which seems strange. Their site exists to share photos...