0
Why does the geocentric system use epicycles when the heliocentric does not?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The geocentric system uses epicycles in order to create a model in which the earth is in the center of the solar system and the planets and sun look the way they actually look from the earth with the naked eye. The idea of epicycles was added by Ptolemy because without them his model was not consistent with what the ancients recorded about the position of the planets, the sun and the moon. It was important that the model be consistent with observation since the model was used for navigation and land travel. Once the telescope came into being it was evident that the geocentric model (which included the epicycles) was not consistent with was now observable in the sky, such as the way that Venus looked at different times of years (the phases of Venus). Therefore the geocentric model was abandoned for the heliocentric model. The heliocentric model's predicted movements that were closer to what was observable with the new technology. The heliocentric model does not "need" epicycles, in fact they would lead to false predictions inconsistent with what was observable.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do you use the heliocentric or geocentric model in mosdern astronomy?
Practical science often bases its calculations on geocentricity. For example, astronomers use the rotating "celestial sphere" to represent the apparent motion of stars, etc in the night sky. But this is just a useful device. Modern astronomy is certainly based on the heliocentric model of our solar system.
When were Galileo's ideas accepted?
Yes. The geocentric system was long accepted. Briefly the geocentric system used the earth as the center of the universe, thus the sun and planets revolved around the earth as center of the universe. The geocentric system had religious implications of the earth as the seat of "God". The heliocentric system replaced the geocentric system in Copernicus' time, with the sun as the center. This challenged the religious concepts. The "geocentric" system is still accepted. Locating heavenly bodies still use the RA (Right Ascension) system which is geocentric. Leaving out the question of where "God" lives, the astronomical question is simplicity of astronomy calculations..
What 3 tools did nicolaus Copernicus use?
Basically, Copernicus used math to figure things out. To draw a figure for himself or for publication, he might use a compass or a straightedge, but what motivated his change from a geocentric to a heliocentric system---i.e., from an Earth-centered to a Sun-centered system---was a combination of aesthetics and mathematics. The reason people took him seriously is because of the latter: he provided a mathematical basis for saying that the Sun, and not Earth, lay at the center of our planetary system.
What Model of the universe do you use today?
The current model of the solar system is the "heliocentric system" meaning sun is the center of the solar system. Hope this helps :)
What were the similarities between Ptolemy's model and Copernicus' model?
Both Copernicus heliocentric and the Ptolemaic models agreed on the need for epicycles. These were miniature orbits that the celestial bodies travelled on as well as their normal orbits.Copernicus still invigaed the bodies orbiting in perfect circles and had to put these in to explain some of the movements of the planets. This may have contributed to his ideas being largely dismissed as it was just as complicated as the already established model. It was not until Kepler proposed elliptical orbits was this problem resolved.
Do you use the heliocentric or geocentric model in mosdern astronomy?
Practical science often bases its calculations on geocentricity. For example, astronomers use the rotating "celestial sphere" to represent the apparent motion of stars, etc in the night sky. But this is just a useful device. Modern astronomy is certainly based on the heliocentric model of our solar system.
Was Isaac Newton's findings about the Solar System geocentric or heliocentric?
Ptolemy's research in the field of astronomy led him to continue down the vein of other Greek scholars who believed in the Geocentric system of planetary orbit. The Ptolemaic system, which believed that the planets and sun moved in small mini-orbits, known as epicycles, within a larger, greater orbit around the earth, was comprised in order from closest to farthest as Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Due to this system's ability to fairly accurately predict the paths of the observable planets in the sky, it remained widely accepted until Copernicus became champion, if you will, of the Heliocentric theory. Even then, Ptolemy's system was still better able to explain the motions of the planets. It was not until the later addition of Kepler's laws of motion that the Heliocentric theory fell neatly into place.
What is the difference of geocentric and heliocentric theries?
The difference is a point of analysis, whether the origin or center point or zero point in analysis is at the earth or at the sun. This does not force a theory about the center of the Universe. You could describe the United States from the center in Washington, or a center in Chicago. the distance between Chicago and new York would be the same. The center point of analysis is relative and a point of convenience. Astronomers and Astrologers use the geocentric system for convenience. The Middle Ages debate about the Earth being the center of universe was about religion not science or analysis. The heliocentric view offered a more convenient analysis of the solar system than the geocentric system, but for events on earth, the geocentric system is better for analysis still and is used today, Right Ascension system.
When were Galileo's ideas accepted?
Yes. The geocentric system was long accepted. Briefly the geocentric system used the earth as the center of the universe, thus the sun and planets revolved around the earth as center of the universe. The geocentric system had religious implications of the earth as the seat of "God". The heliocentric system replaced the geocentric system in Copernicus' time, with the sun as the center. This challenged the religious concepts. The "geocentric" system is still accepted. Locating heavenly bodies still use the RA (Right Ascension) system which is geocentric. Leaving out the question of where "God" lives, the astronomical question is simplicity of astronomy calculations..
What 3 tools did nicolaus Copernicus use?
Basically, Copernicus used math to figure things out. To draw a figure for himself or for publication, he might use a compass or a straightedge, but what motivated his change from a geocentric to a heliocentric system---i.e., from an Earth-centered to a Sun-centered system---was a combination of aesthetics and mathematics. The reason people took him seriously is because of the latter: he provided a mathematical basis for saying that the Sun, and not Earth, lay at the center of our planetary system.
What Model of the universe do you use today?
The current model of the solar system is the "heliocentric system" meaning sun is the center of the solar system. Hope this helps :)
How do you use geo in a sentence?
Geo is defined as of or relating to the Earth. It was formerly thought that the solar system was Geocentric.
Who was the first to use the telescope to observe Jupiters moon to support the heliocentric model of the solar system?
Galileo
What is an Earth- Centered Solar System?
It has the Sun is in the middle of the solar system with all the planets revolving around the Sun. It is also called the "heliocentric model" of the solar system. It is the model we use today and is now known to be the correct model.
Can you use geocentric in a sentence?
Yes you can
What were the similarities between Ptolemy's model and Copernicus' model?
Both Copernicus heliocentric and the Ptolemaic models agreed on the need for epicycles. These were miniature orbits that the celestial bodies travelled on as well as their normal orbits.Copernicus still invigaed the bodies orbiting in perfect circles and had to put these in to explain some of the movements of the planets. This may have contributed to his ideas being largely dismissed as it was just as complicated as the already established model. It was not until Kepler proposed elliptical orbits was this problem resolved.
Where is planet Earth and the solar system located?
The heliocentric model is the one that has the Sun at the centre and the Earth the third planet out. We don't use the heliocentric model of Copernicus with its circles and epicycles, that was superseded by Kepler's model, but we still have the Sun at the centre.
