1.) Are the ancient Greeks’ observations enough to conclude that the Earth is a sphere? Why?
No. Their observations weren’t scientific enough to conclude that the Earth is a sphere because
they didn’t have solid proof like photos from space that show the roundness of Earth. However,
their observations were smart guesses that led to extensive intellectual research about this
phenomenon.
2.) Is Eratosthenes’s method of determining the circumference of the Earth logical and
reasonable? Why?
Yes, his method was the most logical during his time. Although his approach is simpler than what
we have today, it actually gave an accurate estimation of the circumference of the Earth. He just
used sticks and basic geometry to calculate the angles and distances of the shadows in two
different cities.
3.) Why is Pythagoras’s belief of spherical Earth not scientific?
Pythagoras’s belief is that spherical Earth is not scientific because he did not provide solid proof of
his claims. Science relies heavily on facts or evidence. However, Pythagoras only has his
philosophical foundation or assertion of the shape of the Earth.
1.) How did ancient people use their knowledge of some astronomical phenomena?
Ancient people used their knowledge of some astronomical phenomena in tracking time and
creating the calendar. They relied on the visible heavenly bodies, the stars, sun, and moon, to
predict seasons and determine the best time to plant and harvest crops.
2.) Why does the Moon change phase?
The phases of the moon change depending on the strike of how the sunlight strikes as the Earth
orbits it. The moon does not emit its own light and depends on the sunlight for it to be seen. As the
moon orbits around the Earth, the amount of the lit part of the moon changes which creates the
changes in the phases of the moon as we see on Earth.
3.) Why do constellations appear to change positions in the sky month after month?
Constellations may appear to change in positions in the sky month after month because the Earth
orbits the sun. As we move around the sun, we see different parts of the sky at night, which also
allows us to see the positions of constellations in the sky seem to be changing.
4.) How do you differentiate a solar eclipse from a lunar eclipse?
Obviously, solar eclipses happen during the day, and lunar eclipses happen at night. Looking at it
deeper, solar eclipses happen when the moon goes in between the Earth and the sun, which
blocks the sunlight from entering the Earth. On the other hand, a lunar eclipse happens when the
Earth is in the middle of the sun, and the moon casts a shadow on the moon, causing it to be dark
or reddish.
5.) How did ancient people interpret the appearance of a comet?
Ancient people interpret the appearance of a comet as something unusual which they think is an
omen or a sign of something bad to happen. Some think that the appearance of the comet in the
night sky is a warning of disasters or famine, which they have to prepare for.
1.) What is an ellipse? Relate your answer to Kepler’s first law of planetary motion.
An ellipse is a shape that describes an oval-like curve that looks like a stretched-out circle. Kepler’s
first law of planetary motion states that planets move around the sound in an elliptical orbit or
elongated path. The sun is located in one of the fixed foci inside the ellipse, which means that there
are times when the Earth is closest to the sun and farther to it.
2.) With regards to Kepler’s first law of planetary motion, what do the two thumbtacks and the
pencil represent in the activity?
In the activity, the two thumbtacks represent the two foci, where one of them is the sun. The pencil
represents the movement of the planet around the sun following the elliptical path. The setup helps
us visualize the planetary motion as described by Kepler.
3.) What is the difference between the shape of the first (procedure no. 4) and the second
(procedure no. 5) output?
If the two thumbtacks are closer to each other, the shape looks more like a circle. On the other
procedure, when the thumbtacks are far from each other, the shape looks more like a stretched-out
circle or an ellipse.
4.) Does the distance between the two tacks affect the shape of the output? What can you infer
about the relationship between the distance of the two tacks and the shape of the outputs?
Yes, the distance between the two thumbtacks affects the shape of the output. It can be inferred
here that if the two thumbtacks are near to each other, the shape becomes wider and circular.
Moreover, when the two thumbtacks are far from each other, the shape becomes more elongated
or narrower.