Astronomy Practice Exam

Which model of the universe places the Earth at its center?

1. Heliocentric model

2. Geocentric model

3. Galactic model

4. Universal model

The correct answer is: Geocentric model

The geocentric model of the universe places Earth at the center, suggesting that all celestial bodies, including the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, revolve around it. This model was widely accepted for many centuries and was rooted in early astronomical observations and philosophical beliefs that positioned Earth as a special and central place in the cosmos. In contrast, the heliocentric model proposes that the Sun is at the center of the solar system, with Earth and other planets orbiting around it. The galactic model focuses on the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way galaxy and does not centralize the Earth but rather locates it within one of the galaxy's arms. The universal model encompasses broader concepts of cosmology, including the universe’s expansion, but again does not specifically center on the Earth. Therefore, the geocentric model, which places Earth at the center, is the correct answer to the question.