Ptolemy: Mapping the Heavens

Lia Martinez

Challenge B: Astronomy Essay 2

Sept 5, 2019

As a child I innocently believed the moon followed me when I was in the car. At the time I used my limited knowledge of how the world works to draw my conclusions and it wasn’t until I was older that I learned that I was definitely wrong. People in ancient history also used their limited knowledge to comprehend the world around them. For instance, the astronomer Ptolemy believed that the planets, sun, and moon all revolved around the earth and that the earth remained stationary. This is known as the Ptolemaic theorem or the geocentric model, and it was taught for approximately 1,400 years, but has since been disproved. 

Ptolemy, who was born approximately one hundred years before Christ, made many notable discoveries; specifically in the areas of astronomy, cartography, and as an author. In the field of astronomy his most influential work was in one of his books, The Algamest, in which he explains and predicts the movements of the moon, planets, and stars. He also converted the philosophy regarding the sky into science. He advanced the maps of his day by creating the first spherical flat map. Although his maps were not completely accurate, as North America had yet to be discovered, he forever left his mark on the field of cartography with his new way of drawing and labeling maps with lines of latitude in a flat yet spherical illustration. Finally, he authored approximately thirty three books in which he notes his observations and conclusions in many different subjects. The value of his work has long outlived his time on earth and afforded others the ability to improve upon his theories and use the data he so diligently recorded. In this way even though Ptolemy may have been wrong about certain things, he still contributed greatly to our understanding of the heavens and the earth that our Father created for us to marvel and study.

Bibliography

    Wills, Susan, and Steven. Astronomy: Looking At The Stars. Minneapolis. The Oliver Press, Inc, 2001

    Jones, Alexander Raymond. “Ptolemy.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Jan 2000, Https://www.britannica.com/biography/ptolemy 

   

    The Space Telescope Science Institute. “Views of the universe: Ptolemy vs. Copernicus.” Amazing space, Amazing space, 2007, http://history.amazingspace.org/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/basics/g37/