The geocentric model, in all of its complexity, survived scientific scrutiny for almost 1,400 years. However, in modern astronomy, scientists seek to explain the natural and physical world we live in as simply as possible. The complexity of Ptolemy's model was an indicator that his theory was inherently flawed. Why, then, was the geocentric model the leading theory for such a long time, even though the heliocentric model more simply explained the observed motions and brightness of the planets? Check all that apply. ☐ The geocentric model conformed to both the philosophical and religious doctrines of the time. ☐ The heliocentric model did not make noticeably better predictions than the geocentric model. From Earth, all heavenly bodies appeared to circle around a stationary Earth. The complexity of the geocentric model was appealing to most ancient astronomers. Ancient astronomers did not observe stellar parallax, which would have provided evidence in favor of the heliocentric model.

The geocentric model, in all of its complexity, survived scientific scrutiny for almost 1,400 years. However, in modern astronomy, scientists seek to explain the natural and physical world we live in as simply as possible. The complexity of Ptolemy's model was an indicator that his theory was inherently flawed. Why, then, was the geocentric model the leading theory for such a long time, even though the heliocentric model more simply explained the observed motions and brightness of the planets? Check all that apply. ☐ The geocentric model conformed to both the philosophical and religious doctrines of the time. ☐ The heliocentric model did not make noticeably better predictions than the geocentric model. From Earth, all heavenly bodies appeared to circle around a stationary Earth. The complexity of the geocentric model was appealing to most ancient astronomers. Ancient astronomers did not observe stellar parallax, which would have provided evidence in favor of the heliocentric model.