Physical sciences: Bode's Law and the Missing Planet

摘要: EXACTLY two hundred years ago, Titius1 published a mnemonic for the mean distances of planets from Sun. His rule was where αi is major semi-axis orbit ith planet Titius's law represents then known with an accuracy few per cent, provided that (i) Mercury, we take i= −∞ instead i=1 and (ii) orbital i=5 left vacant. The made three valid predictions. Uranus (discovered by William Herschel in 1781) fits i=8. After discovery Uranus, Bode publicized law, which became as Bode's Law. search culminated first asteroid, Ceres, 1801. Recognition similar satellite system Saturn led to Hyperion 1848.