从科普插图看托勒密的地心说

Understanding the Geocentric Model from Illustrations in Popular-Science Books in China

古希腊著名天文学家托勒密一生著作很多,他和他的学说在天文学发展中无疑占有重要地位,其中最为著名、影响甚广的,似乎是被诬蔑为"臭名昭著"的"地心说"。不过,在中国的天文学科普书籍中,作者注意到有两种不同版本的"地心说"插图,两者反映的科学含义有很大差别。试图从这两种不同版本的插图来探讨"地心说"为什么能够统治那么多年。

Claudius Ptolemaeus, a well-known astronomer of the Ancient Greece, wrote many books in his life time. He and his writings are certainly important in the history of astronomy. His most influential idea is the ＇ notorious＇ Geocentric Model. From some popular-science books about astronomy in China the author has found two highly different versions of illustrations about the Geocentric Model. In this paper the author discusses which version is closer to the original idea of Claudius Ptolemaeus. In addition, the author argues that the eventual replacement of the long-held Geocentric Model by the Heliocentric Model owes to advancements in astronomical observations.