Changing Ideas About the Solar System

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  • Created by: Rhianna
  • Created on: 07-11-16 19:26
What is the geocentric model?
The idea that the Sun, Moon, planets and stars all orbit the Earth in perfect circles - this was believed by most ancient Greek astronomers.
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What is the heliocentric model?
The idea that the Earth and planets orbit the sun which is at the centre of the universe - this model was introduced by Copernicus in 1543.
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What were Galileo's observations of Jupiter?
1610 - Galileo was observing Jupiter using a telescope. He saw 4 stars in a line near the planet, moving in the wrong direction in the sky and never moving away from Jupiter. These 4 objects weren't stars, but moons orbiting Jupiter.
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How did Galileo's observations of Jupiter's moons support the heliocentric model?
Galileo's observations showed that not everything was in orbit around the Earth, which proved the geocentric model was wrong.
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What does the current model say about orbits in our solar system?
The planets in our Solar System orbit the sun in an elliptical way, rather than circular.
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Why have our ideas about the Solar System changed?
As technology has improved, our ideas have also 'improved' - e.g. the invention of the telescope led to the discovery of Uranus.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the heliocentric model?

Back

The idea that the Earth and planets orbit the sun which is at the centre of the universe - this model was introduced by Copernicus in 1543.

Card 3

Front

What were Galileo's observations of Jupiter?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How did Galileo's observations of Jupiter's moons support the heliocentric model?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does the current model say about orbits in our solar system?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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