Evidence of Ancient Astronomy
Evidence of how the ancients described the placement of Earth is found partly through archaeostronomy, the study of the astronomy of ancient peoples, and through history beginning with the ancient Babylonians and Greeks. Based on ancient astronomy, select all of the correct statements from the following list:
a. Classical philosophers believed that Earth did not move.
b. Classical philosophers knew that many orbits were elliptical and not circular.
c. Ptolemy changed the ancient belief in the geocentric system by suggesting that the sun was the center of the universe.
d. Classical philosophers believed that Earth was the center of the universe.
e. Ancient cultures left detailed written records of their astronomical beliefs.
f. Aristotle argued that crystalline spheres of the geocentric system did not represent physical reality, but were just a scientific model.
g. Eratosthenes accurately estimated the diameter of the Earth.
Based on ancient astronomy, the correct statements are:
- a) Classical philosophers believed Earth did not move.
- d) Classical philosophers believed Earth was the center of the universe.
- g) Eratosthenes accurately estimated the Earth's diameter.
Why did classical philosophers believe Earth was the center of the universe?
Classical philosophers believed Earth was the center of the universe due to the geocentric model that placed Earth as the stationary center of all celestial movements. This belief was central to their understanding of the cosmos.