Download Geocentric versus Heliocentric

Geocentric versus Heliocentric
Or why the average 13 year-old is not really the center
of the universe, I am.
You are here
http://www.courses.vcu.edu/PHYS-aab/PHYZ103/
Jonathan Dickinson
Astronomy Laboratory
Sept. 9, 2002
The Theories: Geocentric
Ptolemaic Universe
Universe consists of concentric spheres
with earth at the center.
Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars,
Jupiter, and Saturn each have their
own sphere. The stars are all one
sphere.
All heavenly motion (read
astronomical) is consists of perfect
uniform circular motion.
The acceptance of this theory was
influenced by Aristotle’s
acceptance of it.
Later this theory was given the support
of the Roman Catholic Church.
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/retrograde/aristotle.html
The Theories: Heliocentric
Copernican Universe
Planets orbit around the Sun,
which is the center of the
universe.
The earth rotates.
The moon orbits around the
earth.
The stars have a fixed location.
Galileo’s legendary comment,
“But it does move.”