Which scientist first proposed the heliocentric universe instead of a geocentric one?

The heliocentric model of the universe, which posits that the Sun, rather than the Earth, is at the center of the solar system, was first proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus. His groundbreaking work, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), published in 1543, challenged the long-standing geocentric model supported by Claudius Ptolemy. Copernicus's theory laid the foundation for modern astronomy, fundamentally changing the way we understand our place in the cosmos. This concept was pivotal in the shift from a geocentric perspective, where celestial bodies were thought to revolve around Earth, to a more accurate representation of our solar system, leading to significant advancements in scientific inquiry and exploration.