Final answer:
Educated people during Columbus' time believed that the Earth was round, influenced by astronomical observations of other celestial bodies like the Moon.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is commonly accepted that in Columbus' time, educated people knew that the Earth was round. Astronomers believed that the Earth was a sphere and the center of the universe, and this influenced the belief that other celestial bodies, like the Moon, might have similar features as Earth. For example, when Galileo observed the Moon, he found craters, mountain ranges, and valleys, which suggested that Earth could also belong to the realm of celestial bodies. Overall, Columbus and other people of his time were aware of the round shape of the Earth.