BACK TO geocentric

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.

heliocentric

[ hee-lee-oh-sen-trik ]
adjective
  1. measured or considered as being seen from the center of the sun.
  2. having or representing the sun as a center: the heliocentric concept of the universe.

geocentric

[ jee-oh-sen-trik ]
adjective
  1. having or representing the earth as a center: a geocentric theory of the universe.
  2. using the earth or earthly life as the only basis of evaluation.
  3. viewed or measured as from the center of the earth: the geocentric position of the moon.