Aristarchus
Definition
Aristarchus of Samos was an ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician who proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system. He suggested that the Earth revolves around the Sun, which was revolutionary for his time.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Aristarchus lived around 310-230 BCE.
- He is known for estimating the sizes and distances of the Sun and Moon relative to Earth.
- Aristarchus' heliocentric theory was not widely accepted until much later when Copernicus revisited similar ideas.
- His work 'On the Sizes and Distances of the Sun and Moon' introduced geometrical methods to astronomy.
- Ancient records indicate that Aristarchus faced criticism from contemporaries like Archimedes who favored geocentric models.
Review Questions
- What significant model of the solar system did Aristarchus propose?
- In what centuries did Aristarchus live?
- How did Aristarchus contribute to our understanding of celestial bodies' sizes and distances?
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Related terms
Heliocentrism: The astronomical model in which Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun at the center of the solar system.
Geocentrism: The ancient belief that Earth is at the center of the universe with all other celestial bodies orbiting it.
Copernicus: A Renaissance-era astronomer who also supported a heliocentric model, helping to revive Aristarchus' ideas in Western thought.
