天文学的历史 History-of-Astronomy.ppt

History of Astronomy The knowledge of the Ancients Passage of astronomical knowledge Mesopotamia/Babylon Mesopotamia/Babylon Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Greek Astronomy Greek Astronomy About 624 BC to 547 BC One of the earliest Greek philosophers. His areas of interest included geometry and astronomy. There are no books or writings that have survived from Thales. Greek Astronomy About 569 BC to 475 BC One of the greatest mathematicians of all time. Founded secret society based on his mathematical discoveries and their religious implications. Since the society was extremely secretive, very little is known about his life or personal works. Greek Astronomy 427 BC to 347 BC Well known for political and social philosophy but he also made contributions to astronomy. He was most noted for his belief in the perfect and unchanging nature of the heavens. Plato was the head of the School of Athens was Aristotle’s teacher. Greek Astronomy 384 BC to 322 BC Founded his own school called the Lyceum in Athens Made contributions to all areas of philosophy but math was his weakness He did not believe that empirical evidence was necessary to prove ideas. Greek Astronomy Aristotle is one the first to attempt to create a scientific model of the universe. This model has now become known as the “Geocentric Model” which places the “imperfect” Earth at the center and all of the “perfect” celestial objects go around us in perfect circular motion Greek Astronomy About 325 BC to 265 BC Great mathematician but so little is known about him that people question whether he was an actual person or a group of mathematicians. Greek Astronomy The book “Elements” is possible the most famous and long lasting math text books in history. Greek Astronomy About 310 BC to 230 BC We have no writings that have survived but Aristarchus is referred to in the writings of other philosophers Greek Astronomy Most noted for proposing the idea of a heliocentric universe with the earth as