What was Galileo known for in relation to Copernicus' model?

Galileo is renowned for using a telescope to provide empirical support for the heliocentric theory, which posits that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, contrary to the long-standing geocentric model that placed the Earth at the center of the universe. His observations, such as the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the detailed features of the Moon, offered significant evidence in favor of Copernicus' model. This groundbreaking work not only bolstered the acceptance of the heliocentric theory during the Scientific Revolution but also laid the foundation for modern astronomy. Galileo's contributions marked a pivotal shift in scientific thought, demonstrating the value of observation and experimentation in the scientific method.

The other options describe important concepts or figures in science but do not accurately reflect Galileo's direct contributions related to Copernicus' heliocentric model. For instance, the development of the laws of motion, while closely associated with Galileo's work, pertains more to his contributions in physics. The creation of the planetary model is often credited to Copernicus himself, making it distinct from what Galileo achieved. Finally, the founding of modern taxonomy is attributed to Carl Linnaeus, thus unrelated to Galileo's contributions to heliocentric theory.