Who discovered the laws of planetary motion, demonstrating that planets follow elliptical orbits around the Sun?

Johannes Kepler

Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer and mathematician, revolutionized our understanding of the universe in the early 17th century with his laws of planetary motion. He demonstrated that the orbits of planets around the Sun are elliptical, contradicting the earlier idea of perfect circular orbits. These discoveries not only laid the groundwork for celestial mechanics but also strongly supported the heliocentric system proposed by Copernicus, marking a crucial advancement in the history of astronomy. Kepler's contributions to science allowed for a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of our solar system, profoundly influencing the further development of astronomy and physics.