Re: Galileo

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

Hi all-
As in all such questions, it is important to start with the supposed
"fact" to be explained and the context from which the "fact" is taken.
"Perfect spheres" as I seem to recall, had to do with orbits.  So what
needs to be explained?
                                Regards,
                                                Jack




On Sat, 17 Jul 2004, David Abineri wrote:

> After watching the Nova on Galileo again I am struck by a question that
> comes up in my classes every year for which I don't have a clear answer.
>
> With all the pre Copernican emphasis on heavenly objects being based on
> the "perfect sphere" what was the thinking at that time about the moon
> which to the naked eye looks far from "perfect".  How did the naked eye
> appearance of the earth's moon fit with the "perfect spheres" ideas from
> Ptolemy through Copernicus?
>
> I would welcome any thoughts on this.  Thanks,
>
>      David Abineri
>
>
> --
> dabineri@fuse.net

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