15 moments

1. Birth in Toruń

   1473-02-19 · Toruń, Poland

   

   Copernicus was born in the Royal Prussian city of Toruń, then within the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. Coordinates identify Copernicus's documented birthplace area in Toruń.

2. Studies at the University of Kraków

   1491-01-01 · Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   

   Copernicus began the arts course at Kraków, where he received mathematical and astronomical training that formed the basis of his later work. The card date marks the beginning of his documented Kraków studies, which continued until 1495.

3. Arrival for studies in Bologna

   1496-01-01 · University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

   

   Copernicus traveled from Warmia to Bologna to study canon law and pursue astronomy and humanistic learning. The source supports autumn 1496; October is presented as possible rather than certain.

4. Aldebaran occultation observation

   1497-03-09 · Bologna, Italy

   

   While in Bologna, Copernicus observed the Moon's occultation of Aldebaran, an observation used in examining Ptolemy's lunar theory. Coordinates represent central Bologna; the precise observation site is not identified.

5. Jubilee-year stay in Rome

   1500-01-01 · Rome, Papal States (now Italy)

   

   Copernicus spent the Jubilee year in Rome with his brother Andrew, continued astronomical work, and reportedly lectured on astronomy. The exact Roman lodging and lecture venue are not securely identified; coordinates represent Rome.

6. Medical studies in Padua

   1501-01-01 · University of Padua, Padua, Italy

   

   Copernicus returned to Italy to study medicine at Padua, acquiring knowledge later used in service as a physician in Warmia. Italian source text states that Copernicus returned to the University of Padua between 1501 and 1503 as a medical student.

7. Residence at Heilsberg Castle

   1503-01-01 · Lidzbark Warmiński Castle (Heilsberg), Poland

   

   After returning from Italy, Copernicus served his uncle Bishop Lucas Watzenrode as secretary and physician while living at the episcopal castle. The date marks the beginning of a documented residence lasting to 1510.

8. Doctorate in canon law at Ferrara

   1503-05-31 · University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

   

   Copernicus came to Ferrara and received his doctorate in canon law, completing his Italian university education. The stated date follows the historical dating used by the University of Ferrara source.

9. Move to Frauenburg and chapter election

   1512-04-01 · Frombork Cathedral complex, Frombork, Poland

   

   Copernicus was at Frauenburg in April 1512 for the election of Fabian of Lossainen as Prince-Bishop of Warmia, establishing his long association with the cathedral town. The move itself is dated uncertainly to 1510 or 1512; his presence for the April 1512 election is explicit.

10. Purchase of a Frombork tower

    1514-01-01 · Copernicus Tower, Frombork Cathedral complex, Frombork, Poland

    

    Copernicus acquired the northwestern tower inside the Frombork stronghold, one of the residences he retained for the rest of his life. Coordinates identify the cathedral-hill tower traditionally known as Copernicus Tower.

11. Economic administrator at Allenstein

    1516-01-01 · Olsztyn Castle (Allenstein), Olsztyn, Poland

    

    Copernicus resided in Olsztyn Castle as administrator of the Warmian chapter's estates and later directed the defense of Allenstein during the Polish-Teutonic War. The date marks the beginning of the documented 1516–1521 castle residence.

12. Later observations from Frombork

    1522-01-01 · Frombork Cathedral complex, Frombork, Poland

    

    Back at Frombork, Copernicus made astronomical observations from a small tower during the final two decades of his life. The exact small tower is unidentified; coordinates represent the Frombork cathedral complex.

13. Hosting Rheticus at Frauenburg

    1539-01-01 · Frombork Cathedral complex, Frombork, Poland

    

    Georg Joachim Rheticus arrived in Frauenburg to study with Copernicus and remained for two years, helping bring Copernicus's work toward publication. Rheticus's stay with Copernicus directly supports Copernicus's presence at Frauenburg in 1539.

14. Medical journey to Königsberg

    1541-01-01 · Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), Russia

    

    Duke Albert summoned Copernicus to Königsberg to treat the seriously ill Georg von Kunheim; Copernicus stayed about a month before returning to Frauenburg. The source dates the journey to spring 1541; coordinates represent historic central Königsberg.

15. Death at Frauenburg

    1543-05-24 · Frombork, Poland

    

    Copernicus died at Frauenburg after suffering apoplexy and paralysis late in 1542, shortly after the printing of De revolutionibus. Frauenburg is the historical German name of present-day Frombork.