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Scientists Identify Body of Copernicus

DNA proves elderly man buried in Poland is father of astronomy

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2008 6:20 PM CST

(Newser) – More than 400 years after Copernicus determined man's place in the universe, scientists returned the favor by pinpointing his grave in an old Polish cathedral. Using DNA from a tooth and a bone, scientists identified a 70-year-old man buried in an unmarked grave as the astronomer who determined that the Earth revolves around the sun, and not vice versa, Discover reports.

Scientists matched the DNA with a strand of hair found in one of the astronomer's books. Researchers knew he was buried among the many anonymous graves in the cathedral and used radar to scan all the bodies. When they found one of a man buried around age 70, they extracted DNA and found an old friend. Plans are in place for a tomb more befitting one of the world's scientific giants.

A computer-generated reconstruction shows what astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like.
A computer-generated reconstruction shows what astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like.   (AP Photo)
A computer-generated reconstruction shows what astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like.
A computer-generated reconstruction shows what astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like.   (AP Photo)
This undated photo released by Christie's auction house in New York shows a first edition of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium by Copernicus.
This undated photo released by Christie's auction house in New York shows a first edition of "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" by Copernicus.   (AP Photo/Christie's Images LTD)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
briannabeaver
May 18, 2010 7:24 PM CDT
'Match' is a terrible word in conjunction with science. The scientists mean that they could not tell the difference between the two pieces of DNA they had. Also, does anyone else know how difficult it is to extract DNA from hair? You can't, unless you get the follicle, and even then DNA decomposes. Considering he died around 1550, give or take, if I'm not mistaken, getting enough DNA to actually have a valid comparison seems pretty unlikely. Also, when you're looking at radar of skeletons, what looks 70 years old? This all seems really terrible. DarkFrancis; Please read the entire article. He was buried in an anonymous grave. Ergo, no markers to read. What I don't understand is why you'd give him a 'more fitting tomb'; what's wrong with the one he's in already? Just mark it and prepare for tourism.
JoeQ
Nov 1, 2009 8:52 PM CST
Yeah right.
NxBigmouthery
Nov 1, 2009 8:49 PM CST
He'd probably be all 'You needed to do all that?' Why didn't you just look after the marker on my grave a bit better?'

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