Copernicus asserted heliocentrism on the basis of observations, likewise Bruno confirmed Copernicus’ “theory” on the basis of observations, and Galileo doubly confirmed the heliocentric model with observations of the Moon’s surface, of the phases of Venus, and of sunspots on the Sun, among other discoveries from observation, eg Jupiter.

This was the time when conceptualuzation was being criticized by induction via Bacon, Hobbes, Locke, etc. Galileo was under intense pressure from authorities, as the assertion of heliocentrism was considered heresy. So, it was not by accident that Galileo was right. See Feyerabend on Galileo.