Ch.

10 Consider the Heavens

10.1 - Introduction to the Solar System - Identify and define key terms and vocabulary - Differentiate between geo/heliocentric theories - Identify 5 early astronomers and state their contributions

Structure of the Solar System

Our solar system is along the edge of the Milky Way galaxy Solar system includes
Planets Moons Asteroids Small floating bodies of matter

 History of thought
Until 500 years ago, most astronomers believed that earth was the center of the universe Ancients did not realize the earth was floating in empty space or that it rotated on its axis

An earth-centered system
Therefore Aristotle, a Greek, proposed the geocentric theory (earth is the center) He believed planets and stars moved in spheres around in the sky Fellow Greek astronomer, Aristarchus, proposed a sun-centered (heliocentric) model which was ridiculed

 Further developments
Ptolemy
Alexandria, Egypt (150AD) Developed the geocentric theory With his model he could accurately predict the locations of stars for centuries to come Had difficulty accounting for retrograde motion (backward movement of planets) Proposed that planets have epicycles His theory was accepted for 1400 years

 A sun-centered system
Nicolaus Copernicus
Poland (early 1500s) Proposed the heliocentric theory This theory helped clarify retrograde motion

Support for Copernicus

Galileo Galilei
Italy (late 1500s) Built a telescope to observe Jupiter He noted that it had moons circling it which detracted from the notion that earth was the center of everything

 Support for Copernicus (contd)

Johannes Kepler
Germany (early 1600s) Student of astronomical genius Tycho Brahe, Spent myriad hours charting the positions of stars in the sky Helped prove the heliocentric theory correct