The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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c. 310-c. 230 B.C.
Greek astronomer and mathematician who applied geometric theory to calculate the relative sizes, and distance between, the Moon and Sun. The first scientist to propose a heliocentric, or Sun-centered, model of the universe, Aristarchus has often been regarded solely as an astronomer, but in fact much of his work was in pure mathematics. With regard to his Sun–Moon measurements, he used the angle between the half-illuminated Moon and the Sun to estimate that the Sun is about 20 times as large as the Moon, and about 20 times as distant from Earth. That both estimates are too small is the fault of his measuring instruments rather than of his methodology.