How did Nicolaus Copernicus influence Galileo Kepler Descartes and Newton?

Nicolaus Copernicus fundamentally influenced the Scientific Revolution by proposing a heliocentric theory that placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center of the universe. This shift challenged traditional Aristotelian and Ptolemaic cosmology, setting the stage for later thinkers to develop modern physics and astronomy.1234

• Johannes Kepler: A convinced Copernican, Kepler used the heliocentric model as a foundation for his work. By analyzing Tycho Brahe's precise data, he moved beyond Copernicus's reliance on circular motion to discover that planets travel in elliptical orbits, providing the mathematical laws that described the solar system's order.541
• Galileo Galilei: Galileo used the telescope to provide observational evidence—such as the phases of Venus and satellites around Jupiter—that supported the Copernican system and dismantled Aristotelian cosmology. He also addressed the physical problems of a moving Earth, such as why objects do not fly off its surface.16
• René Descartes: Descartes sought to replace the failing Aristotelian system with a mechanical philosophy. He used the concepts of matter and motion to explain the Copernican universe, proposing that planets were moved by "whirlpools" of subtle matter.6
• Isaac Newton: Newton built upon the contributions of his predecessors, ultimately demonstrating that the same physical laws govern both celestial bodies and objects on Earth, thereby completing the transition from the Copernican model to a unified theory of universal gravitation.4