Question

describing the heliocentric model
choose the correct answer to complete the paragraph about the acceptance of the heliocentric model.
in the second century bce, the greek astronomer ptolemy tried to explain the backward movement of the planets by using a solar system model that included ▼. for centuries, this was the accepted model. during the renaissance, nicholas ▼ discovered the old heliocentric model of aristarchus. in aristarchuss model, the rising and setting of the sun was explained by the movement of the ▼.

Explanation:

1. Ptolemy's geocentric model used epicycles (small circular orbits of planets) to explain their apparent backward motion while keeping Earth at the center.
2. Nicholas Copernicus revived and formalized the heliocentric model during the Renaissance, building on Aristarchus's earlier ideas.
3. In the heliocentric model, the Sun is stationary at the center, and the rising/setting of the Sun is caused by Earth's rotation on its axis.

Answer:

1. First blank: epicycles (or planetary epicycles)
2. Second blank: Copernicus
3. Third blank: Earth (Earth's rotation)