Press Release From Gov HK
This year is the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, the renowned astronomer from Poland. To celebrate, The Hong Kong Space Museum will present a new exhibition, “Nicolaus Copernicus: Life and Work”, allowing visitors to look at the life and achievements of Copernicus by introducing his life stories, his work across disciplines, monuments and items in remembrance of him.
From June 21 to September 25, the “Nicolaus Copernicus: Life and Work” exhibition showcases Poland’s rich cultural and scientific heritage and is a testament to the power of innovation and excellence in the realm of science. It would surely inspire the young generation to pursue their passions for astronomy and space science. This exhibition is not just a celebration of science and astronomy, but also an excellent example of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education which, as encouraged by the Hong Kong SAR Government, involves the observation of nature, engagement in critical thinking, and employment of creative approaches to real-world challenges rooted in mathematics and science.
In addition to being an astronomer, Copernicus was also a physician, diplomat, cartographer, lawyer and an economist. Geocentrism had been the mainstream idea of ancient astronomy, showcasing the Earth as the centre of the universe and all the stars, planets, the Sun and the Moon revolving around the Earth. Based on scientific theory, Copernicus wrote a manuscript 510 years ago, shaking the belief in the geocentric theory and overturning the public’s conception of the universe. In 1543, he published a detailed book, “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium” (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres), on “heliocentrism”, which proposed the Sun as the centre of planetary motions, sparking a revolution in astronomy.
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Hong Kong, the exhibition offers free admission and will be staged at the foyer of the Hong Kong Space Museum from June 21 to September 25.
For details of the exhibition, please visit The Hong Kong Space Museum’s website.
Header image credits: Gov HK
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