Could Ptolemy's geocentric model of the universe be made to accurately predict planetary positions in the sky if elliptical orbits were used instead of circular orbits?
by 
Glenn Blaylock
ANSWERS: 4
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No, because geocentric models don't accurately describe Pluto's and Mars's orbital patterns as seen from Earth, according to the laws of physics. The geocentric model is incapable of existing.
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No. Kepler's laws could not be followed with epicycles, no matter how constructed. How could it make the orbital velocities change smoothly?
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That is a very interesting question. It's kind of moot, at this point, as we now know that the solar system is heliocentric and that the stars don't revolve around the earth at all, but instead seem to because the earth itself revolves. Ptolemy and the ancients operated from the very reasonable assumption that the earth, being a massive object, was stationary and thus the motion of the planets and stars must be due to them revlving around earth. Reasonable given their toolss of operation, but very wrong. No, elliptical orbits couldn't do the trick. Those still holding out for a geocentric model are just betting on the wrong horse. :)
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Thanks to those that answered. I would just like to add a bit more to this. I know that the geocentric model doesn't reflect reality. However, Ptolemy's model dod accurately predict the positions of the planets as seen from here for centuries. I was just wondering if he had used ellipses instead of circles if that would have made the model more accurate and, therefore, held of the Copernican revolution longer.
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