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heliocentric vs. geocentric
heliocentric vs. geocentric: What's the difference?
Heliocentric (from helio- "sun") means having or representing the sun as the center. Geocentric (from geo- "earth") means having or representing the Earth as the center. The first astronomical maps were geocentric, assuming that all heavenly bodies revolve around the Earth. Later, a heliocentric model was adopted, (correctly) assuming that heavenly bodies in the solar system revolve around the sun.
[ hee-lee-oh-sen-trik ]
adjective
- measured or considered as being seen from the center of the sun.
- having or representing the sun as a center: the heliocentric concept of the universe.
[ jee-oh-sen-trik ]
adjective
- having or representing the earth as a center: a geocentric theory of the universe.
- using the earth or earthly life as the only basis of evaluation.
- viewed or measured as from the center of the earth: the geocentric position of the moon.