Meteorology

Meteorology (Greek: ; Latin: Meteorologica or Meteora) is a treatise by Aristotle. The text discusses what Aristotle believed to have been all the affections common to air and water, and the kinds and parts of the Earth and the affections of its parts. It includes early accounts of water evaporation, earthquakes, and other weather phenomena. Aristotle's Meteorologica is the oldest comprehensive treatise on the subject of meteorology. Written around 340 B.C, it consists of four books; three of pertaining to meteorology, and one of chemistry. Despite its ancient origins, Meteorologica was the basis for all modern day meteorology texts throughout Western Civilization up to the 17th century. Throughout this treatise, Aristotle outlines two theories: The universe is spherical The earths inner core is composed by the orbits heavenly bodies The universe has two regions; the celestial (region past the Moons orbit) and the terrestrial region-sphere (Moon's tendency to orbit around the Earth) From this theory, Aristotle achieved a distinction between what was understood (astronomy) and his new findings (meteorology) The "Four-element Theory" The terrestrial region was composed of the four elements- water, earth, fire, and air These elements were arranged in spherical strata, with Earth as is center and the Moon on the outskirts of the sphere They were in constant interchange with one another- E.g: Heat from the Sun collides with cold water, creating air and mist