Bode's law

[ bohdz law ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a numerical scheme that gives the approximate distance from the sun of the seven planets closest to the sun (Mercury through Uranus) but fails for Neptune and Pluto, which are further away.

Bode's law

/ bəʊdz /

noun

1. astronomy an empirical rule relating the distances of the planets from the sun, based on the numerical sequence 0, 3, 6, 12, 24,…. Adding 4 to each number and dividing by 10 gives the sequence 0.4, 0.7, 1, 1.6, 2.8,…, which is a reasonable representation of distances in astronomical units for most planets if the minor planets are counted as a single entity at 2.8

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bode's law¹

First recorded in 1825–35; after Johann E. Bode (1747–1826), German astronomer, though probably first formulated by Johann D. Titius (Tietz), German astronomer (1729–96)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bode's law¹

named after Johann Elert Bode (1747–1826), who in 1772 published the law, formulated by Johann Titius in 1766

Example Sentences

It was observed that the distances of the several planets might approximately be expressed by the terms of a certain mathematical series, if one term was supplied between Mars and Jupiter—a fact known by the name of Bode's law.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, Bode's law has a comprehensive approximate reality in the Solar System, sufficient to make it a strong recommendation of any hypothesis of the origin of the system, that it shall account for this law.

From Project Gutenberg

If we make a similar computation for each planet, we shall find that their distances from the sun show a remarkable agreement with an artificial series of numbers called Bode's law.

From Project Gutenberg

Why Bode's law should hold true, or even so nearly true as it does, is an unexplained riddle, and many astronomers are inclined to call it no law at all, but only a chance coincidence—an illustration of the "inherent capacity of figures to be juggled with"; but if so, it is passing strange that it should represent the distance of the asteroids and of Uranus, which was also an undiscovered planet at the time the law was published.

From Project Gutenberg

The failure of Bode's law in the case of Neptune would then imply that the interval of time between the formation of Neptune and Uranus was shorter than that which has prevailed for the other planets.

From Project Gutenberg