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Chapter 11: Problem 75

Before about 350 ?.C., the ancient Greeks did not realize that Mercury seen in the morning sky (which they called Apollo) and seen in the evening sky (which they called Hermes) were actually the same planet. Discuss why you think it took some time to realize this.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The ancient Greeks, using only their naked-eye for observations, saw Mercury appear in the morning and evening at different times. Given these distinct periods of visibility, it could have led to the interpretation of Mercury being two separate celestial bodies, 'Apollo' in the morning and 'Hermes' in the evening. The advancements in observing technology and astronomical knowledge we have today were not available to ancient Greeks, which could explain the delay in their realization.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the observational conditions of the ancient Greeks

The ancient Greeks did not have access to the modern tools and technology we use to observe celestial bodies. They relied heavily on naked-eye observations, and their awareness was based on what they could clearly view from Earth. This could have limited their ability to accurately interpret what they were observing in the sky.
02

Understanding Mercury’s behavior as seen from Earth

As Mercury orbits closer to the Sun than Earth does, it’s always seen in the sky in relatively close proximity to the Sun. Therefore, it can be observed from Earth only for a brief period after sunset or before sunrise. This results in distinct appearances in the morning and in the evening sky, giving the impression of two separate celestial bodies.
03

Reasoning why they believed these to be two different celestial bodies

Given that 'Apollo' and 'Hermes' were not concurrently visible and had separate periods of visibility (morning and evening), it’s understandable that the ancient Greeks, with their limited tools for astronomical observation, interpreted them as two distinct celestial bodies.

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