counter-earth

The much faster moving earth, which rotates on its axis so as to keep our side always turned away from the central fire and counter-earth (see below), leaves the sun behind so that day lasts as long as the earth is facing the sun, and night occurs when the earth turns away from the sun as it moves around the central fire.

Philolaus Huffman, Carl 2008

It is not certain that this is a reference to Philolaus, but, when Aristotle says that the counter-earth was introduced into the Pythagorean astronomical system in order to bring the number of bodies orbiting the central fire up to the perfect number ten, this must apply to Philolaus, since the astronomical system described belongs to him (see 4.2 below).

Philolaus Huffman, Carl 2008

It is important that the use of such a doctrinal criterion be limited to quite specific doctrines such as limiters and unlimiteds as first principles and the cosmology that includes the counter-earth and central fire.

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

He may also have followed Philolaus in positing a counter-earth, opposite the earth on the other side of a central fire, although, if he did, it is unclear how he would have explained why it and the central fire are not visible from the rotating earth.

Pythagoreanism Huffman, Carl 2006

He mentions ten heavenly bodies, including the sun and moon, the earth and the counter-earth (Greek), and in the midst of them all he places the central fire, around which they are moving — this is hidden from the earth by the counter-earth.

Timaeus 2006

E.g. as the number 10 is thought to be perfect and to comprise the whole nature of numbers, they say that the bodies which move through the heavens are ten, but as the visible bodies are only nine, to meet this they invent a tenth — the ‘counter-earth’.

Metaphysics Aristotle 2002

All who deny that the earth lies at the centre think that it revolves about the centre, and not the earth only but, as we said before, the counter-earth as well.

On the Heavens 2002

The five planets, the sun, the moon, and the earth with its counter-earth, moving from west to east at rates of speed proportionate to the distance of each from the central fire, produce eight tones which give an octave, and, therefore, a harmony.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913

The counter-earth is added because it is necessary to make up the number ten, the perfect number.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913

It was, perhaps, largely to account for such eclipses that the counter-earth was invented.

A History of Science: in Five Volumes. Volume I: The Beginnings of Science 1904