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Questions and Answers
What shape did Anaxagoras claim the Moon is?
What shape did Anaxagoras claim the Moon is?
How did Anaxagoras explain the phenomenon of eclipses?
How did Anaxagoras explain the phenomenon of eclipses?
What was Aristotle's conclusion about the shape of the Earth?
What was Aristotle's conclusion about the shape of the Earth?
What belief did Anaxagoras challenge regarding the Sun and Moon?
What belief did Anaxagoras challenge regarding the Sun and Moon?
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What motivated Anaxagoras to become a scientist?
What motivated Anaxagoras to become a scientist?
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What was Anaxagoras’ view regarding a divine intelligence in the universe?
What was Anaxagoras’ view regarding a divine intelligence in the universe?
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What did Anaxagoras bring to Athens from Ionia?
What did Anaxagoras bring to Athens from Ionia?
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What aspect of the Moon's illumination did Anaxagoras describe?
What aspect of the Moon's illumination did Anaxagoras describe?
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What phenomenon did Aristotle use to support the idea that the earth is spherical?
What phenomenon did Aristotle use to support the idea that the earth is spherical?
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Why did Aristotle reject the idea of a moving earth?
Why did Aristotle reject the idea of a moving earth?
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How many spheres did Aristotle claim existed for the motion of planets, including the sun and moon?
How many spheres did Aristotle claim existed for the motion of planets, including the sun and moon?
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What philosophical argument did Aristotle present regarding the shape of the earth?
What philosophical argument did Aristotle present regarding the shape of the earth?
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Which of the following did Aristotle attribute to the existence of fixed stars?
Which of the following did Aristotle attribute to the existence of fixed stars?
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What two scholars' work did Aristotle reference in his discussion of the earth-centered model of the universe?
What two scholars' work did Aristotle reference in his discussion of the earth-centered model of the universe?
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Which aspect of the lunar eclipse contributed to Aristotle's belief in a spherical earth?
Which aspect of the lunar eclipse contributed to Aristotle's belief in a spherical earth?
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What misconception did Aristotle have about inertia?
What misconception did Aristotle have about inertia?
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How did Aristotle interpret the visibility of elephants in diverse regions?
How did Aristotle interpret the visibility of elephants in diverse regions?
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Which celestial bodies did Aristotle believe were affected by the spheres he described?
Which celestial bodies did Aristotle believe were affected by the spheres he described?
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Study Notes
Ancient Astronomy Overview
- Greeks utilized geometry and trigonometry to determine the size and distance of celestial bodies like the Sun and Moon.
- The geocentric model was prevalent, with Earth at the center of the universe in a spherical shape, and other celestial bodies revolving around it.
Anaxagoras (499 BC - 428 BC)
- Born in Clazomenae, Ionia (modern-day Turkey).
- Proposed that the Moon is spherical and shines due to the reflection of sunlight, explaining its phases and eclipses.
- Described the Sun as a large, hot rock.
- First Ionian philosopher to reach Athens, spreading Ionian philosophical ideas.
- Notable friendships included that with Pericles, who later secured his release from jail for his controversial ideas.
- Conceptualized that eclipses occur due to the Moon's position relative to the Earth and Sun.
- Rejects the notion of divine intelligence governing the universe, but acknowledges a life force enabling its operation.
- Famous quote: "The investigation of sun, moon, and heaven" was his purpose of existence.
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
- Born in Stagira, Greece, and studied at Plato's Academy, later founding his own school, the Lyceum.
- Tutor to Alexander the Great and a foundational figure in Western thought, contributing extensively across various subjects.
- Asserted that the Earth is spherical, supported by the round shadow cast during lunar eclipses and changing star positions based on latitude.
- Noted the proximity of distant regions by comparing the presence of elephants in Morocco and India.
- Discussed the work of Eudoxus and Callippus, who proposed an Earth-centered model of the universe with celestial spheres.
- Suggested the existence of 55 concentric spheres to explain planetary movements without interference.
- Rejected a moving Earth due to misunderstanding inertia, asserting that the natural state of objects is rest, and that motion requires external force.
- Believed that if Earth moved, it would disrupt one's contact with it, questioning the fixed position of stars during such motions.
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Description
Explore the foundations of ancient astronomy, focusing on the Greek approach to celestial bodies using geometry and trigonometry. Dive into Anaxagoras' revolutionary ideas about the Moon and Sun, and his contributions to philosophical thought in ancient Greece.
