Our place in the universeOur fascination with the solar system preceded astronomical antiquity, in a process of conceptualizing the cosmos. The fundamental theories of Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brahé, Kepler, Galileo and Newton have dominated history, stimulating a constant reevaluation of the nature of the Solar System. In particular, the theories postulated by Copernicus and Kepler had a fundamental influence on the interpretation of the Solar System, questioning the prevailing orthodoxy of Aristotelian physics; thus paving the way for the prevalence of revolutionary challenges to the medieval worldview. There are myriad ideas that have refined the Solar System, however, this article focuses on the two predominant and overarching theories that have redefined contemporary society's understanding of the Solar System: Copernicus' heliocentric model and the elliptical orbit of plants of Kepler. System: Evolution Ptolemy's second-century model of the Solar System was the first conceptualization of a standard model of the cosmos. The Ptolemaic model outlined the mathematical representation of the known Solar System, which was intrinsically rooted in Aristotelian physics[1]. This dictated the key elements of the model, in particular the axiom of geocentrism[2][3]. This model is encapsulated in Figure 1. Furthermore, the convoluted system of epicycles, to account for the apparent retrograde motion, was extremely problematic in forming mathematical representations, due to its complexity[4]. This model prevailed for over a century, however, there were irreconcilable fundamental flaws in the model, particularly geocentrism. Copernican's model in 1543 exemplified a paradigm shift from the prevailing geocentric perspective...... middle of paper.... ..ge, 1957.'Tychonic system, 2014. Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed 27 May 2014, .Voelkel , J, 2001, The Composition of Kepler's Astronomia nova, Princeton University Press, Princeton.Walding, R, Rossiter, G & Rapkins , G 2004, 'Astrophysics', Physics of the New Century: Concepts in Context, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press , South Melbourne, Australia.Wasson, J 1985, 'Meteorites: Their record of early solar-system history' New York, WH Freeman and Co., 1985, p. 240- 274.Wesley, P 2009, The Copernican Revolution, PowerPoint Presentation, Astrophysics, Pearson Education, delivered 24 May 2014.Wilbur, A 2000, Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution: From Copernicus to Newton, Routledge, .