Ptolemy’s Astronomy

Greek mathematics started in the 6th century BC. However, we do not know much why people are doing mathematics in the meantime. There is no record of mathematicians' ideas about their work, purpose, and method (Hodgkin, 40). Regardless of the motivation to pursue mathematical astronomy, we will all see some by Hippocrates, Plato, Odds, Euclid, Archimedes, Apollonius, Hip Park, Heron and Tall. An impressive mathematical book written by Mi Mi. I think that Ptolemy is the most important part of the history of Greek astronomy.

But slowly, the change began to occur. From Aristotle to Ptolemy, there is a clear difference between the psychological aspect of cosmology and the mathematical accuracy of astronomy. Through Ptolemy's age, astronomy does not care much about the psychological aspects of data interpretation and pays more attention to the accuracy of the theoretical prediction. In a sense, this will help Copernicus. Because the movement of the earth can be determined by theoretical analysis of empirical data. However, the Earth as the center of the universe still provides comfort for people. Therefore, the bondage of the Copernicus revolution includes not only astronomical problems but also theological, economic and social problems. In addition to the academic tradition and its dynamics, other factors such as the Protestant Revolution, Marine Navigation, Calendar Reform, Renaissance Humanism, and Neopra Tonism have paved the way for the Copernicus revolution.

On the other hand, Ptolemy's astronomy is the science of this definition, but Copernicus is not. I am not saying that Gobry's standard is wrong. Because it is good for Ptolemy. Indeed, Ptolemy is embarrassed by those who worship the so-called scientific revolution and regards everything in front of them as primitive superstition and irrationalism. Ptolemy actually made a permanent and practical contribution. There is no doubt that the Earth-centered model is actually wrong - we got a tool to distinguish not only from where we are now but also from space, to get a larger image. But Ptolemy made a number of systematic observations of stars and planets and created a model to predict those movements. His model can not just help sailors who have sailed in the sea for hundreds of years - in fact, it is still used for naval navigation!