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How did ptolemy account for retrograde motion in his model of the solar system

User Mauro Dias
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Answer:

Ptolemy accounted for 'retrograde motion' in his model of the solar system by introducing smaller circles named 'epicycles'.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • According to Ptolemy, the Sun and the other planets in the Solar system orbited around the Earth.
  • The Greeks were convinced that Ptolemy's earlier model did not provide for backward or the retrograde motion.
  • Ptolemy thought over it for a while and theorized the possibility of 'epicycles'.
  • According to Ptolemy, the planets that orbited Earth also orbited another smaller point.
  • The smaller orbits followed by the planets while in motion around the Earth in a larger orbit were introduced by Ptolemy as 'epicycles'.
  • Until Kepler proposed his models of the functioning of the Solar system, Ptolemy's models were considered the most relevant.
User DraganB
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