Bode's law

American  

[bohdz law] / ˈboʊdz ˈlɔ /

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.

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Bode's law British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of Bode's law

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)

Example Sentences

The astronomer found Bode's law to all appearance violated by the omission of a planet between Mars and Jupiter.

From The Philosophy of Evolution Together With a Preliminary Essay on The Metaphysical Basis of Science by Carpenter, Stephen H. (Stephen Haskins)

The mean distance from the sun was found to be 2.767, agreeing with the 2.8 given by Bode’s law.

From History of Astronomy by Forbes, George

With exception of Neptune, the agreement between Bode's law and the true distances is very striking, but most remarkable is the presence in the series of a number, 2.8, with no planet corresponding to it.

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

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 A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

Bode's law of planetary distances is no law at all, but a study of coincidences.

From Recreations in Astronomy With Directions for Practical Experiments and Telescopic Work by Warren, Henry White