BBC Focus Magazine

[Liam Sheppard]

What did olden times persons think the Moon was? They thought the world was flat for quite some time (I know that a spherical world was proffered many years ago by some)

How could they look at the moon and not see a sphere and then apply that to the earth?

[Lateralman]

Because when they stood on a hill, they could not see that they where standing on a big sphere.

All they saw was that they were standing on a hill.

And when they looked at the moon, all they saw was a big cheese.

[M Paul Lloyd]

How could they look at the moon and not see a sphere and then apply that to the earth?

I think they probably did Liam, but way back basic survival would have made it academic, we don't know what our ancient 'Stonehenge' ancestors thought because they left no written record but the first to realise its spherical shape would probably have been the early sea traders, and the Greeks certainly knew as much back in the 3rd century BC, not only the Lunar phases would have given it away either but the Earths shadow crossing the Moon would have hinted at its shape too.

[Healerman]

Earths shadow crossing the Moon would have hinted at its shape too.

That is one of the most spectacular sights in the night sky. Seeing the Moon, not as a disc, but actually as a ball. I never tire of seeing a lunar eclipse.

AWESOME!