Question

question 3(multiple choice worth 5 points)
(06.01 mc)
a student made the following observations about astronomical bodies.
observation 1: mars reverses its direction of motion in the night’s sky.
observation 2: the stars move across the sky with earth’s rotation.
which observation(s) support the heliocentric model but not the geocentric model?
○ only observation 1
○ only observation 2
○ both observation 1 and observation 2
○ neither observation 1 nor observation 2

Explanation:

1. Analyze Observation 1: In the heliocentric model, Mars' retrograde motion (reversing direction) is explained by Earth's faster orbital speed overtaking Mars, a concept not part of the geocentric model (which used epicycles but didn't rely on Earth's motion for this).
2. Analyze Observation 2: The geocentric model can explain star movement with celestial spheres rotating around Earth, while the heliocentric model explains it via Earth's rotation. So Observation 2 is consistent with both models.

Thus, only Observation 1 supports heliocentric but not geocentric.

Answer:

Only observation 1