How did Copernicus know Jupiter's orbit around the Sun was larger than that of Earth?
A) It can always be seen relatively close to the Sun.
B) He measured the period and used Kepler's third law.
C) It was sometimes seen to pass behind the Sun.
D) It can be high in the sky at midnight.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Copernicus knew Jupiter's orbit around the Sun was larger than that of Earth because it can be high in the sky at midnight, indicating it is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, which would only be possible if its orbit is larger than Earth's.

How Did Copernicus Know Jupiter's Orbit Around the Sun Was