What is the Ptolemaic theory of the universe?

Ptolemaic system.The astronomical system of Ptolemy, in which the earth is at the

center of the universe with the sun, moon, planets, and stars revolving about it in circular orbits
at increasing distance. Some of the orbits have epicycles.

What is Ptolemy best known for?

Ptolemy, Latin in full Claudius Ptolemaeus (fl. AD 127-145, Alexandria), ancient

astronomer, geographer, and mathematician who considered the Earth the center of the
universe (the "Ptolemaic system"). Virtually nothing is known about his life.

What was the major contribution of Ptolemy?

The earliest, and perhaps most important of Ptolemy's work that has survived is the
Almagest, a treatise in 13 books. It gives in detail the mathematical theory of the motions of the
Sun, Moon, and planets. Ptolemy made his most originalcontribution by presenting details for
the motions of each of the planets.

What theory did Aristotle and Ptolemy have about the universe?
Ptolemy was an astronomer and mathematician. He believed that the Earth was the
center of the Universe. The word for earth in Greek is geo, so we call this idea a "geocentric"
theory.
Views of the universe: Ptolemy vs. Copernicus

Copernicus’ model:
"Sun-centered," or "heliocentric"

Copernicus thought that the planets orbited the Sun, and that the
Moon orbited Earth. The Sun, in the center of the universe, did not
move, nor did the stars.

Copernicus thought that the planets orbited the Sun, and that the
Moon orbited Earth. The Sun, in the center of the universe, did not
move, nor did the stars.

Copernicus was correct about some things, but wrong about

others. The Sun is not in the center of the universe, and it does
move, as do the stars. Also, both Copernicus and Ptolemy thought
the orbits of the planets were circular, but we now know they are
elliptical.
Ptolemy's model:

"Earth-centered," or "geocentric"

Ptolemy thought that all celestial objects — including the planets,

Sun, Moon, and stars — orbited Earth. Earth, in the center of the
universe, did not move at all.

NOTE: The outer planets, like Uranus and Neptune, are missing
from both charts because they had not been discovered at the
time. The planets are lined up to make the charts easy to read;
they never line up this way in nature.

How did Copernicus prove his theory?

He also determined that the Earth rotates daily on its axis and that the Earth's motion
affected what people saw in the heavens. Copernicus did not have the tools to prove his
theories. By the 1600s, astronomers such as Galileo would develop the physics that
would prove he was correct. Copernicus died on May 24, 1543.