Question

1. explain why aristotle thought the earth was spherical.

Explanation:

Aristotle observed lunar eclipses, where the Earth's shadow on the moon was curved. Also, as one travels north or south, the positions of stars change in a way consistent with a spherical Earth.

Answer:

Aristotle thought the Earth was spherical because during lunar eclipses, the Earth's shadow on the moon was curved (a spherical object casts a curved shadow). Also, when traveling north or south, the positions of stars change in a manner that would occur if the Earth were spherical. For example, some stars visible in the south are not visible in the north and vice - versa, which can be explained by the curvature of a spherical Earth.