While many concepts on astronomy of the ancient Greeks are no longer relevant, many of their ideas were used to guide astronomers today in establishing concepts more valid. The ancient Greeks had no clear division of science and philosophy. Neither did they have separate and developed fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. The formerly deficient range of information the ancient Greeks had, allowed an individual to become an expert in several fields whereas nowadays, there is a tendency for an individual to have an intensive knowledge in more a defined and rather limited field.
One of the most influential theories the ancient Greeks had, was what was the centre of the universe. Contrary to what has been proven today, the ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was the center of our Universe opposed to the Sun — referred to as a geocentric universe. The ancient Greeks has considered the Moon and the Sun as planets in addition to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The days of the week were later named after the gods who were believed to have been represented by these “planets”.
In the third century B.C.E., Aristarchus of Samos presented the first known model in which the Sun was at the centre of the universe and the Earth revolved around it — referred to as …show more content…
Thales is believed to have anticipated the eclipse of the Sun on the 28th of May B.C. While it is unknown how Thales got to his conclusion of solstices, he was mentioned to be the first to have determined the course of the Sun from solstice to solstice. Presumably with the exploration of solstices and equinoxes, the length of a solar year was simultaneously recognized by Thales. Although the Egyptians have known about the seasons for millenniums, Thales was the first to explain the seasons scientifically, for his understanding of the solar
One of the most influential theories the ancient Greeks had, was what was the centre of the universe. Contrary to what has been proven today, the ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was the center of our Universe opposed to the Sun — referred to as a geocentric universe. The ancient Greeks has considered the Moon and the Sun as planets in addition to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The days of the week were later named after the gods who were believed to have been represented by these “planets”.
In the third century B.C.E., Aristarchus of Samos presented the first known model in which the Sun was at the centre of the universe and the Earth revolved around it — referred to as …show more content…
Thales is believed to have anticipated the eclipse of the Sun on the 28th of May B.C. While it is unknown how Thales got to his conclusion of solstices, he was mentioned to be the first to have determined the course of the Sun from solstice to solstice. Presumably with the exploration of solstices and equinoxes, the length of a solar year was simultaneously recognized by Thales. Although the Egyptians have known about the seasons for millenniums, Thales was the first to explain the seasons scientifically, for his understanding of the solar