I have to write a simple report on Ptolemy?

Question

I tried reading information from wikipedia and other websites, but I don't understand much about what it's trying to say. Can some one describe Ptolemy's major contributions to astronomy in simpler terms to me? Please don't give me websites unless you truly think that they will help me understand more about Ptolemy's theories.

Answer 1

Ptolemy's main contribution to astronomy was that he described a method for calculating the positions of the planets. His system was very complicated, because he assumed that all motions of heavenly bodies could be described as circles, and that everything revolved around the Earth. He had to use multiple circles rotating on and within circles to compute planetary motions. This information was in a book Ptolemy called Mathematical Syntaxis, that is more commonly known as the Almagest. This book also included a list of star positions and a description of 48 constellations which our modern constellations are based on. The Almagest was considered the most authoritative book on astronomy in both Arabic and European astronomy for many centuries.

Ptolemy's method was the most accurate way to calculate planetary positions until Kepler came along in the 1600s and showed that planetary orbits were actually ellipses centered on the sun.

Answer 2

Idon't have a website, but i do have a book:

Kuhn, Thomas. "The Copernican revolution."

It explains both Ptolemy's model of the universe and how Copernicus developed the theory that replaced it You should be able to find it at a university library or online (like at Amazon.com).

Answer 3

This is about as simple as it gets.
http://obs.nineplanets.org/psc/theman.html

Answer 4

I'm sorry but... Simple? Ptolemy? In the same sentence? Ummm... good luck with that... You might want to try Googling it... idk. good luck.