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Chapter 4: Problem 20

What observations did Galileo make that reinforced the heliocentric model? Why did these observations contradict the older model of Ptolemy? Why could these observations not have been made before Galileo's time?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Galileo's observations that reinforced the heliocentric model include his observation of the phases of Venus, sunspots, and the moons of Jupiter. These observations contradicted the Ptolemaic model as Galileo's observation showed that not all celestial bodies revolve around the Earth, some revolve around the Sun. These observations could not have been made before Galileo's time due to technological limitations, mainly the absence of the telescope.

Step by step solution

01

Galileo's Observations

Galileo made several observations that supported the heliocentric model. This includes his observation of the phases of Venus, observation of the moons of Jupiter and the observation of the sunspots. These evidences contradicted the Ptolemaic model as they showed that not all celestial bodies orbit the Earth.
02

Contradicting Ptolemy's model

The Ptolemaic model suggests that all celestial bodies revolved around the Earth. However, Galileo's observations contradicted this. He demonstrated the planets revolve around the sun in the heliocentric model through his observation of the phases of Venus. His observation of the moons of Jupiter showed that not all celestial bodies revolved around the Earth.
03

Why these observations were not made before Galileo

These observations were not made before Galileo's time due to technological limitations. Galileo's observations heavily relied on the use of telescope which had not been invented before his time. Hence, these observations could not have been made without the technology to perceive these celestial phenomena.

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