An example of simile in historical science writing,
"He [Copernicus] saw (as Aristotle also points out) that when one motion is assigned to the earth, it may properly have other motions, by analogy with the planets. He therefore decided to begin with the assumption that the earth has three motions, by far the most important of all.
For in the first place, having assumed the general arrangement of the universe described above, he showed that, enclosed by its poles within the lunar sphere, the earth, like a ball on a lathe, rotates from west to east, as God's will ordains; and that by this motion, the terrestrial globe produces day and night and the changing appearances of the heavens, according as it is turned toward the sun."
Rheticus (1959) The Narratio Prima (1539, Translated by. E. Rosen), in Three Copernican Treatises (Ed. E. Rosen) Dover Publications (pp.107-196).
Read about examples of science similes
Many examples of science similes are listed in 'Creative Comparisons: Making Science Familiar through Language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
