$1000 for proof that Earth revolves around the Sun

Yes, from Catholic Apologetics International.Page not found - CatholicIntl.com Any thoughts?

This should be perfect for Randman, who has just disclaimed any affiliation with the heretical heliocentrist position.TTFN,WK

I'm sure there are a number of mathematical formulas and astronomical observations that could be used (probably in conjunction with one another rather than independently) to "prove" that the earth goes about the sun rather than vice versa, but would they be simple enough or logical enough for those still assert the sun revolves around the earth?

The problem with proof is that you have to eliminate all other possibilities.As long as one other possiblity exists that fills all the same requirements as the desired outcome, it cannot be considered 'proven'.Mathematically two scenarios exist with equal possibilities.First off we can eliminate the effect of earth's spin -- being at the center of the universe does not require that the earth does not spin, so rotation of the planet does not need to be accounted for in this scheme.This leaves us with the position of the earth within the universe grid and the location of the sun relative to the earth.One solution is the earth orbiting the sun as the solar system follows its track within the milky way (and it's center of gravity) and the milky way follows its track through the universe.The other solution is that the earth is fixed and everything else follows that same (relative to the earth for each object) track in reverse. The universe is precessing around a point where the earth happens to be fixed.Whether the pen writes on the paper or the paper writes under the pen, the result is the same.Not being able to eliminate such a possibility means that the proof is not possible.Enjoy.

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RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
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I don't think a proof is possible, and that's why they can safely make the offer."The earth revolves around the sun" is an assertion made in terms of some sort of coordinate system. But coordinate systems are constructs, not a part of the natural universe.

...by the physicists and cosmologists but:Isn't it true that the Earth doesn't revolve around the Sun? They revolve around their common centre of mass. The difference may be tiny due to their relative masses but it means no proof is possible because the original claim is false.Actually I suspect the answer is even more complex than revolving around their common centre of mass because of the other planets in the Solar System.Ah - I'm not alone in my heresy From the Behlen Observatory at the Univerity of Nebraska-Lincoln:

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

I'm pretty sure that the center of mass is inside the sun.You also have to ask about motion of the solar system within the milky way galaxy, motion of the milky way within the local group, etc.

If you want to be really pedantic about it, neither the earth nor the sun rotate around their common centre of mass - there are another 8 planets in the solar system busy affecting matters.

The link no longer works and i could not find any such post on the web site , but i must say give the body of evidance in the public domain about the sun ,the earth ,orbits and the solar system , one wonders what the CAI would accept as proof ?, i guess a real time view looking down on the solar system from a ponit a few thousand million mile above the sun from might convince them ? assuming they are willing to trust all the people involed setting up such a venture ??

Would a real time view looking down on the solar system from a point a few thousand miles above the earth convince you that everything revolves around the earth?Enjoy.

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RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
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"CAI will write a check for $1,000 to the first person who can prove that the earth revolves around the sun."If there is anybody who can prove to CAI's satisfaction that the earth revolves around the sun, would that individual have much need for $1000? One grand isn't all that much money nowadays; he or she (or they) might easily decide it's not worth the trouble.

Which is why I said:

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

How can one prove anything exist at all? Decartes Demon or Brain in a vat scenario, illustrates that we can't really prove anything. Maybe congito ergo sum? But even the thought and the thinker could be a dream.