Categories: Alternative conceptions
An example of a historical scientific notion that would now be considered an alternative conception.
"…first we learn that the apparent motions of the planets are unequal, and subsequently we conclude that there are epicycles, eccentrics, or other circles by which the planets are carried unequally."
Copernicus, N. (1959) The Letter against Werner (1524, Translated by. E. Rosen), in Three Copernican Treatises (Ed. E. Rosen) Dover Publications (pp.91-106).
Although Copernicus is considered a revolutionary scientist in rejecting the geocentric model of the cosmos (that everything revolves around the earth), he held to the idea that everything in the heavens moved in perfect circles – even if it required all kinds of auxiliary circles to make a model fit observations.
Read about Heavenly circular motion
