"The massive bulk of the earth does indeed shrink to insignificance in comparison with the size of the heavens"

In this quote, Nicolaus Copernicus is stressing the vastness of deep space when compared to our planet, Earth. Copernicus, a Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer, was an essential figure in the history of science, mainly known for his revolutionary heliocentric design, which posited that the Earth and other worlds revolve around the sun. His insights fundamentally changed how humankind perceives its location in the universes.

The expression "huge bulk of the earth" acknowledges Earth's tangible and substantial presence. To those residing in pre-Copernican times, Earth was perceived as the center of everything-- an immovable stage upon which the whole of the paradises revolved. Earth's mass and the huge diversity of life it supports can lead one to assume its significance and centrality in the grand scheme of the universes. It's an acknowledgment of how, from a human perspective, the Earth feels profoundly substantial.

However, Copernicus contrasts this perceived significance with the "size of the paradises". This contrast serves to highlight the immensity of deep space. When seen from a more comprehensive cosmological point of view, Earth ends up being just a tiny speck in the galaxy, and our galaxy itself is just one amongst billions in the observable universe. The "paradises" describe all celestial bodies beyond our world-- stars, worlds, galaxies, and the cosmic structures that fill the void of area. Copernicus is explaining that, in the face of such huge vastness, Earth's physical immensity is lowered to "insignificance.".

This point of view underlines a humbling acknowledgment of mankind's location in the universe. It motivates a sense of curiosity and wonder about the universes and recommends that comprehending our world requires looking beyond our immediate environments. Copernicus invites us to move our viewpoint from an Earth-centered universe to one that appreciates the boundless expanse of area, therefore expanding our understanding of existence itself. This profound awareness laid the groundwork for contemporary astronomy and basically altered humankind's self-perception within the universe.