-
Zhang HengChinese mathematician, astronomer, and geographer -
Nicolas Louis de LacailleFrench astronomer -
Ruggero Giuseppe BoscovichItalian astronomer and mathematician -
Johann Heinrich LambertSwiss-German scientist and philosopher
Ptolemy
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
- Born:
- c.100
- Died:
- c.170
- Notable Works:
- “Almagest” “Guide to Geography” “Hypotheseis ton planomenon” “Optica”
- Subjects Of Study:
- Ptolemaic system calendar light projection refraction
What is Ptolemy best known for?
How did Ptolemy impact the world?
What were Ptolemy’s achievements?
Ptolemy, Latin in full Claudius Ptolemaeus, (born c. 100 ce—died c. 170 ce), an Egyptian astronomer, mathematician, and geographer of Greek descent who flourished in Alexandria during the 2nd century ce. In several fields his writings represent the culminating achievement of Greco-Roman science, particularly his geocentric (Earth-centred) model of the universe now known as the Ptolemaic system. Virtually nothing is known about Ptolemy’s life except what can be inferred from his writings. His first major astronomical work, the Almagest, was completed about 150 ce and contains reports of astronomical observations that Ptolemy had made over the preceding quarter of a ...(100 of 1318 words)