I read long ago (now I am not able to recall that book) that one astronomer had put the distances between planets and Sun ( taking distance of Mercury as one) in a Geometric Progression and suggested search for a planet in between Mars and Jupiter. Finally we found Astroid belt in that place. Can anybody give me the name of that astronomer and the GP.
2007-03-28 18:03:56 · 7 answers · asked by Wiser 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The progression is called Bode's Law (after Johann Bode) and was found to be remarkably accurate all the way out to Uranus with the exception that there was no planet between Mars and Jupiter.
The formula works by starting with 0, then 3, and doubling the number each time until you reach 768. Then, by adding four to each number and dividing the result by 10, the numbers give the distance of each planet from the Sun in astronomical units (AU).
Many have speculated that a planet *should* have formed there, but the total mass of the asteroid belt (which occupies the orbit that should have had the planet) is not enough for even a moon. The reason for this is still a matter of debate.
The links below shows the law and has a table of predicted versus actual values. Check these out as they make for good reading.
2007-03-28 18:22:04 · answer #1 · answered by heb3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other reason that there is no planet here and the asteroid belt is given by something called the Roche Limit.
It gives the limit on how a body of mass (such as a planet) is formed, and this relies upon what other masses are around.
It was thought that because of Jupiter's huge size and gravitational pull, that the 'roche limit' was breached in this region of space, therefore no planet formed together and the mass broke apart into what we now call the asteroid belt.
See Link for good explanation of the roche limit...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roche_limit
And this on why Jupiter stopped the planet being formed....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_belt#Origin
2007-03-28 22:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fist of all Mars and Jupiter could must be added a factor. via fact there gravitational pull retains the asteroids interior the asteroid belt from amassing jointly right into a planet. And in the event that they have been added a factor i could anticipate that the planet could be a terrestrial planet very like Mars.
2016-11-24 20:57:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to excuse Malvin. He is a little confused about the solar system. He probably still thinks Pluto is a planet.
2007-03-28 18:15:20 · answer #4 · answered by Aldo the Apache 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Titius and Bode.
Check this link.
BTW: It was invalidated with the appearance of Neptune.
2007-03-28 18:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by edward_otto@sbcglobal.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ofcourse there is planet between Mars and Jupiter, It's Saturn!
2007-03-28 18:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
haha Malvin is a noob
2007-03-28 18:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by Critical Mass 4 · 0⤊ 5⤋