The exhibition will feature the most important Copernicus-related items kept at the Jagiellonian Library, such as the manuscript of his greatest book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, its first, second and third editions as well as Copernicus’ signature in the book of admissions from his time at the University of Kraków.

The exhibition’s theme is related to the development of the heliocentric theory in the context of the breakthrough it caused in astronomy. It will concentrate on issues such as: the precursors and guiding spirits of the heliocentric theory, cosmology in the times of Copernicus, astronomy at the Jagiellonian University, astronomy teachers and handbooks, the shaping of the Copernican model of the Solar System and the subsequent publication of De revolutionibus…, as well as proponents and opponents of the heliocentric theory.

The exhibition will also feature posters prepared by the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, featuring detailed information on the first editions of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.

The autograph of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium will only be availabe for viewing for six days:

• 11 May: 2.00-7.00 p.m.
• 12 May: 10.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m.
• 13 May: 10.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m.
• 24-26 May: 10.00 a.m.-7.00 p.m.

Additionally, participants of the World Copernican Congress will be able to see the manuscript on 25 May during a guided tour, which will be accompanied by a lecture by Prof. Zdzisław Pietrzyk entitled 'And yet it survived - a few word about the autograph of Nicolaus Copernicus' De revolutionibus orbium coelestium', which will be hosted at 6.00 p.m.

A poster session on the first edition of De revolutionibus organised under the auspices of the University Library of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń will be open to visitors throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Admission is free.