How did Nicolaus Copernicus challenge or change religious authority?

Nicolaus Copernicus challenged religious authority by proposing a heliocentric model of the universe, which placed the Sun at the center rather than the Earth. This contradicted the long-held geocentric view supported by the Church, which interpreted biblical texts as affirming Earth's centrality. Copernicus' ideas laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution, prompting debates about the relationship between science and religion and ultimately leading to a reevaluation of religious doctrines regarding the cosmos. His work encouraged subsequent thinkers to question established beliefs, contributing to a broader shift toward empirical observation and rational thought.