Question

copernicus heliocentric view of the universe was different from popular scientific views of the 16th century because
a most people thought there was no outside universe.
b humans were thought to be at the mercy of the gods.
c the moon was thought to be the center of the universe, rather the sun.
d the earth was thought to be the center of the universe, rather than the sun.

Explanation:

Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model where the Sun is at the center of the universe. In the 16th century, the geocentric model (Earth - centered) was popular. Option A is incorrect as people in the 16th century knew there was more than just Earth. Option B is about a religious - like view and not related to the center of the universe. Option C is wrong as the moon - centered view was not the popular scientific view. Option D correctly contrasts the geocentric (popular in 16th century) and heliocentric (Copernicus) models.

Answer:

D. the earth was thought to be the center of the universe, rather than the sun.