10.2 -10.3 - Brief History of Astronomy questions. Flashcards
This Greek philosopher may have been the first to record ideas about how the universe is structured.
Aristotle
Why did Ptolemy modify Aristotle’s geocentric theory of the universe to include epicycles?
The existing theory could not explain the movement of the planets.
This astronomer was one of the first to suggest that the Sun was the centre of the universe, but he did not speak openly about it until he was near death.
Copernicus
This astronomer was lucky to spend the later part of his life under house arrest instead of being executed. He had provided evidence that the Sun was the centre of the universe, not the Earth.
Galileo
What instrument did Galileo make use of to collect his evidence in support of Copernicus’ model of the universe?
Telescope
What is the term for the model of the Universe that puts the Sun at the center?
Heliocentric
Johannes Kepler used careful observation and mathematics to prove that
The orbits of planets are shaped like ellipses
Gravity is what holds planets in orbit around the Sun. Which scientist came up with this idea?
Newton
What is the main difference between the heliocentric model and the geocentric model of the universe?
In the Geocentric model, the Earth was the centre of everything, with the sun, planets, and stars all revolving around the Earth.
Copernicus’s heliocentric model changed this by placing the sun at the centre, with the Earth and planets revolving around the sun.
Give an example of how the Catholic Church influenced the progress of our theory of the solar system. You must mention at least one scientist in your answer!
Copernicus and how did not discuss his ideas about the heliocentric model until he was dying for fear of being persecuted!
Galileo was forced to take back what he published about the heliocentric model and the evidence he gathered to support it!
What problem did Ptolemy have with Aristotle’s model of the universe? What theory did Ptolemy suggest in order to ‘fix’ this problem? Was Ptolemy’s theory correct?
Ptolemy recognized that Aristotle’s model of the universe (perfect spheres circling the Earth) could not explain the way the planets moved through the night sky over months of observation. The reversing of directions and predictable looping pattern of the planets suggested that something more complicated was occurring. Ptolemy used epicycles (circular paths within circular paths - see notes for a diagram) to explain the movement of the planets.
what was Aristotle’s theory about the revolution of the planets?
he thought the earth was the center of the universe.
