Re: OT, was Ptolemy in Re: VMs: Traditional Astrology and the Flat Earth

[Mark Hagerman <mhagerman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<exit lurk mode>

As I understand it, a Greek philosopher (Eratosthenes?) living in Egypt 
became aware that there was a town directly south of Alexandria where, 
at high noon on the day of the summer solstice, one could see sunlight 
shining all the way down wells. This implied that the sun was directly 
overhead (i.e., at the zenith). This Greek then measured the Sun's 
elevation angle in Alexandria at high noon on the solstice. Using the 
known distance between the two cities, he then estimated the 
circumference of the Earth. I seem to recall his estimate was quite good.

Mark Hagerman

steve ekwall wrote:

> One 'primative' of many ways would be to simply insert 2 sticks into 
> the earth (F_A_R apart)AND note its ~shown shadow angle(s)~ at high 
> noon in either place (simultainously) THUS the degree of difference is recorded!
>
> *DONE*, but...
>
> HOW to sychcronize your hour glass )available back then?) or exact 
> TIME.
<enter lurk mode>



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