Ask a New Question
Menu

The geocentric model could not explain which of the following observations made by early astronomers? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)

Responses

The planets had epicycles.
The planets had epicycles.

Mars and Jupiter appeared to move backwards for some period of time.
Mars and Jupiter appeared to move backwards for some period of time.

Mercury and Venus changed in appearance throughout the year.
Mercury and Venus changed in appearance throughout the year.

The stars appeared to move.

1 answer

The geocentric model could not explain the following two observations made by early astronomers:

  1. Mars and Jupiter appeared to move backwards for some period of time. - This observation refers to retrograde motion, which the geocentric model struggled to accurately account for without complex explanations like epicycles.

  2. Mercury and Venus changed in appearance throughout the year. - The changing appearance of Mercury and Venus, particularly their phases and positions relative to the Earth and Sun, were challenging for the geocentric model to explain satisfactorily.

The other statements, while related to observations of celestial bodies, are either consistent with geocentric explanations or less directly related to the fundamental issues that challenged the geocentric model.