Who was Hipparchus?

Hipparchus was a Greek astronomer who studied the

stars, sun, moon, and eclipses in the 100s BC.

Hipparchus (c. 190-c. 120 BC) is best known for his contributions to
mathematics and astronomy. He invented trigonometry, which allowed
him to calculate the distance to the moon and sun and their sizes. He was
0
the first to create a catalog of the stars, including a scale for brightness
...g that is still used today (with some modifications). He also worked with
astronomical calculations, calculating the timing of eclipses and the precise
length of a year and the seasons. Hipparchus also discovered the precession
of the equinoxes, which provided the first known evidence that the earth
wobbles on its axis. Even before Copernicus, Hipparchus calculated a
0
heliocentric solar system, but he abandoned his calculations because they
0
II)
indicated that the orbits of the planets were not circular.

Hipparch us also invented a theoretical grid that covered the globe and
could be used to determine position. This idea was the basis for the
modem system of latitude and longitude. In addition to all the charts and
calculations, Hipparch us may have invented a device called an astrolabe
0
that was used to determine latitude and longitude by observing the fixed
► stars.

, r'- .:·.

. FUNFA CT
Hipparch us was the first Greek scientist to use astronomical
methods developed by the Chaldeans (also known as the
0
0
0
(II
Babylonians).

~lass! e,a/
0
(!)d'nwrsa!itJns.
" '.)
0

~ MULTIMEDIA
© 2018 Classical Conversations• MulciMedia