A Test of the Copernican Principle

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This image shows a cross-section of a void universe with an observer (O) in the center in violation of the Copernican principle. CMB photons (yellow lines) can scatter off reionized gas and some may lead to CMB distortions. Credit: Caldwell R. R. and ...
This image shows a cross-section of a void universe with an observer (O) in the center, in violation of the Copernican principle. CMB photons (yellow lines) can scatter off reionized gas, and some may lead to CMB distortions. Credit: Caldwell, R. R. and Stebbins, A. ©2008 APS.

The Copernican principle states that the Earth is not the center of the universe, and that, as observers, we don’t occupy a special place. First stated by Copernicus in the 16th century, today the idea is wholly accepted by scientists, and is an assumed concept in many astronomical theories.


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