Vulcan the missing 10th planet ?
April 26th 2009 05:10
Vulcan ,no not the alien in Star Trek but the elusive planet thought to be near Mercury.
In 1859 an astronomer reported that there must be a tenth planet that would explain the mystery about Mercury’s orbit around the Sun.
The saga began when a mathematician was making calculations on Mercury’s orbit he found that he could not resolve his calculations when compared with Newton`s theories of gravity and motion.
Planet Mercury’s closest approach to the Sun had shifted on each orbit by an amount that differed to what Newton had predicted some years earlier.
The odd behavior that made Mercury’s orbit change for no apparant reason could be explained by the existence of a yet unseen celestial body affecting Mercury’s orbital path around the Sun.
Another astronomer thought he had seen Vulcan as a black dot crossing in front of the Sun‘s surface.
Further observations by other astronomers put this in doubt. Einstein explained that the reason for Mercury’s orbital discrepancy was due to natural effect of the Sun’s gravitation forces and not another planet. Vulcan was a myth a mysterious astronomical unicorn that did not exist.
Another myth was Lilith a moon that orbited our Earth besides our real Moon perhaps this was inspired by a work of fiction during the victorian era.
In 1980 yes another myth (perhaps) Nemesis a dim companion star situated within the outer bounderies of our solar system that would alter the orbits of comets. Well there may be some substance in this story as yet this has not been proven either way but if it does exist astronomers will find it within 10 years.
In 1859 an astronomer reported that there must be a tenth planet that would explain the mystery about Mercury’s orbit around the Sun.
The saga began when a mathematician was making calculations on Mercury’s orbit he found that he could not resolve his calculations when compared with Newton`s theories of gravity and motion.
Planet Mercury’s closest approach to the Sun had shifted on each orbit by an amount that differed to what Newton had predicted some years earlier.
The odd behavior that made Mercury’s orbit change for no apparant reason could be explained by the existence of a yet unseen celestial body affecting Mercury’s orbital path around the Sun.
Another astronomer thought he had seen Vulcan as a black dot crossing in front of the Sun‘s surface.
Further observations by other astronomers put this in doubt. Einstein explained that the reason for Mercury’s orbital discrepancy was due to natural effect of the Sun’s gravitation forces and not another planet. Vulcan was a myth a mysterious astronomical unicorn that did not exist.
Another myth was Lilith a moon that orbited our Earth besides our real Moon perhaps this was inspired by a work of fiction during the victorian era.
In 1980 yes another myth (perhaps) Nemesis a dim companion star situated within the outer bounderies of our solar system that would alter the orbits of comets. Well there may be some substance in this story as yet this has not been proven either way but if it does exist astronomers will find it within 10 years.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Having a planet that close to the Sun would be horrific .
Thankfully the planet does not exist. I guess we as humans are fortunate to live where we are.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief