The geocentric model, dominant for nearly 2,000 years, effectively explained celestial motions and accurately predicted planetary positions. However, it faced mounting challenges by the Middle Ages due to discrepancies in observed data, particularly the apparent retrograde motion of planets. Ancient astronomers introduced complex solutions like epicycles to address these inconsistencies. Ultimately, the model was revised through significant advancements, particularly with Copernicus's introduction of a heliocentric model in the 1500s, which fundamentally changed our understanding of the solar system's structure.
By the Middle Ages, there were some issues... The initial observations... stopped applying as well. They had to continuously revise the model.
We understand why... sometimes planets appeared to move backwards... when the Earth passes by a planet, that planet appears to move backwards.
This model actually worked really quite well... they could predict the position of planets with up to around 90% accuracy.
Ancient astronomers solved this basically by making the model more complex... they introduced something called an epicycle.
Collection
[
|
...
]