<P> He is best known for being the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth , which he did by comparing altitudes of the mid-day sun at two places a known North - South distance apart . His calculation was remarkably accurate . He was also the first to calculate the tilt of the Earth 's axis ( again with remarkable accuracy ) . Additionally , he may have accurately calculated the distance from the Earth to the Sun and invented the leap day . He created the first map of the world , incorporating parallels and meridians based on the available geographic knowledge of his era . </P>
<P> He is best known for being the first person to calculate the circumference of the Earth , which he did by comparing altitudes of the mid-day sun at two places a known North - South distance apart . His calculation was remarkably accurate . He was also the first to calculate the tilt of the Earth 's axis ( again with remarkable accuracy ) . Additionally , he may have accurately calculated the distance from the Earth to the Sun and invented the leap day . He created the first map of the world , incorporating parallels and meridians based on the available geographic knowledge of his era . </P>
how did they figure out the circumference of the earth
how did they figure out the circumference of the earth
by comparing altitudes of the mid-day sun at two places a known North - South distance apart
by comparing altitudes of the mid-day sun at two places a known North - South distance apart