http://trailfire.com/linzel/trails/55411linzel/trails60http://trailfire.com/linzel/marks/192098Two main things you need to represent in your presentation:
1. The process of science gathers evidence on the journey to understanding. Science does not attempt to declare what the truth is, science is the journey to understanding.
2. Be sure to state and explain the Pythagorean paradigm. it has three parts listed near th end of the page. You need to be able to show how science gathered evidence to eventually show the three parts of the paradigm as inaccurate.]]>Development of Western Astronomical ThoughtlinzelWed, 30 Jan 2008 12:18:44 -0800trailfire:markId:192098http://trailfire.com/linzel/marks/192101You need to explain the following within your assignment:
1. State the meaning of a geocentric model..
2. State [in your own words] the evidence early philosophers used to support the geocentric theory.
3. Explain the problem of retrograde motion and why this posed a problem to the geocentric model.
4. State and explain the Aristotelean model of the spheres as an improved model of the Pythagorean Paradigm.
5. State and explain the improvements Ptolemy made on the geocentric model to account for retrograde motion. How did his model account foe the increase in planet brightness [luminosity]?

As an aside, Ptolemy also produced a map of grids - essentially latitude and longitude- that was ignored for 1500 years because it conflicted with the interpretation of the Bible at that time.]]>Development of Western Astronomical ThoughtlinzelWed, 30 Jan 2008 12:34:21 -0800trailfire:markId:192101http://trailfire.com/linzel/marks/192109I would like you to indicate how individuals were beginning to be able to challenge mainstream societal beliefs.
The development of the printing press allowed many more people to write and print their thoughts. Education slowly spread. Books were able to be written in many more languages - rather than just Latin. People could read the Bible in their own language. These led to the reformation and challenge to the Holy Catholic Church.
It was the time of the Renaissance.  The rebirth of European thought. this included a challenge to the geocentric model of the 'universe'.
Copernicus, although Christian, used modern theological interpretations to suggest a heliocentric model. The problem was the evidence did not justify the changes. The only reason to accept the change was the precept of 'Occam's razor'. The fact was Copernican thought was a simpler explanation that the previous Ptolemaic model.
Be sure to explain how the Copernican model easily resolves the retrograde motion problem by eliminating the complexities of epicycles. However, because the planets still moved on perfect circles, this prevented the Copernican model from being more accurate than Ptolemy's. It hindered people form adopting it.
Ultimately - i want you to explain how the Ptolemaic model was generally accepted, the Copernican was simpler but no more accurate and how it set that stage for Tycho's observations to be used by Johann Kepler.
]]>Development of Western Astronomical ThoughtlinzelWed, 30 Jan 2008 12:52:16 -0800trailfire:markId:192109http://trailfire.com/linzel/marks/192118Galileo was also a Christian and struggled with his observations. However, his evidence challenged the generally accepted concept that the objects in space were perfect and all revolved around Earth.
State the evidence Galileo gathered that convinced him of the Copernican model correctness.
Also, Galileo was one of the first 'true' scientists. He experimented. He understood that a theory or model must be consistent with the evidence. Explain how his new evidence convinced many to replace the Ptolemaic with the Copernican model.

]]>Development of Western Astronomical ThoughtlinzelWed, 30 Jan 2008 13:07:00 -0800trailfire:markId:192118http://trailfire.com/linzel/marks/192120State the modifications Johann made to the Pythagorean Paradigm, Ptolemaic model that finally substantiated the Copernican heliocentric model as a more accurate, simpler explanation of the universe.
His modifications directly refute all three of the original steps of the paradigm.
Also, define - in your own words - the meaning of aphelion, perihelion, eccentricity, focus [foci] and the major and minor axis.]]>Development of Western Astronomical ThoughtlinzelWed, 30 Jan 2008 13:14:56 -0800trailfire:markId:192120