| If the earth moves round the
sun, there should be parallax, i.e. a difference between the relative positions
of neighbouring stars as observed at different times of year. None is
observable with the naked eye. The reason for this, as <!g>Copernicus had guessed,
is that the solar system is a relatively tiny place enormously far from even
the nearest stars. Parallax is therefore very small. It was not observed until
1832. 
  
    | To return to the previous topic, click on your browser's 'Back' button. |  |