Copernicus'heliocentric model of the universe
1660
Imagine mapping the heavens in the 1600s—this stunning plate from Andreas Cellarius’s *Harmonia Macrocosmica* does just that for the Copernican system. The Sun takes center stage with a glowing, human face, surrounded by concentric rings representing planetary orbits and the zodiac. Angels hold banners proclaiming the system's name, while personifications of the sciences sit in the corners with globes and compasses. Although it looks like a definitive map of space, Cellarius actually preferred the Earth-centric model; he included this heliocentric view just to be thorough, creating a gorgeous 'what-if' visualization of the cosmos.
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