A Crater Named for Insight
Near the moon’s north pole lies the Anaxagoras Crater, named after the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras, who proposed revolutionary ideas about the celestial body over two millennia ago. His claim? The moon was a rocky object, not unlike Earth—a daring concept for the fifth century B.C.
A Vision Beyond Myth
Living in Athens, Anaxagoras defied the era’s belief in celestial deities. He observed that the moon’s light came from the sun, explaining its phases and eclipses through geometry. His studies concluded that lunar eclipses occur when Earth’s shadow covers the moon, while solar eclipses result from the moon passing in front of the sun. He even speculated the moon originated from Earth, an idea revisited centuries later by modern scientists.
A Price for Knowledge
Anaxagoras’ bold ideas clashed with Athenian religious norms. A friend of statesman Pericles, he became a target of political rivals. Accused of impiety, he was arrested and sentenced to death. Pericles intervened, securing his release, but Anaxagoras was exiled to Lampsacus.
Near the moon’s north pole lies Anaxagoras Crater, named after the Greek philosopher who first suggested the moon is a rocky body like Earth. His daring ideas over 2,000 years ago reshaped our understanding of celestial objects, paving the way for modern astronomy. 🧵1/3👇 pic.twitter.com/HneMngrUDX
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) December 29, 2024