The Celestial Spheres

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Questions and Answers

According to ancient and medieval thinkers, what were the celestial orbs made of?

  • Gems
  • Thick spheres of rarefied matter (correct)
  • Empty space
  • Aetherial and transparent fifth element

What did scholars presume about each planetary sphere when applying Ptolemy's epicycles?

  • Each planetary sphere was in complete contact with the sphere above and below it (correct)
  • Each planetary sphere was exactly the same size
  • Each planetary sphere was transparent
  • Each planetary sphere was made of gems

What was the purpose of the celestial orbs in the cosmological models?

  • To account for the apparent motions of the fixed stars and planets (correct)
  • To demonstrate the existence of aetherial matter
  • To explain the existence of gems
  • To create a visual representation of the universe

What did ancient and medieval thinkers believe about the positions of the fixed stars relative to one another?

<p>They believed the fixed stars were on the surface of a single starry sphere (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the orbits of the planets viewed in modern thought?

<p>As paths through mostly empty space (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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