Quote: "Lowell’s other abiding conviction was that there existed, somewhere out beyond Neptune, an undiscovered ninth planet, dubbed Planet X. Lowell based this belief on irregularities he detected in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune..."(Page 2)
Comment: This quote is refering to the genius of an astronomer named Percivel Lowell. According to this article this man, coming from one of the wealthiest families in his time, proposed many famous astronomical theories. The article briefly explains a few, but seems to add a certain comical tone when referring to one of Lowell's most remembered theories, "belief that Mars was covered with canals built by industrious Martians for purposes of conveying water from polar regions to the dry but productive lands nearer the equator."Even though this idea seems out there I believe this theory shows the "Craziness" geniuses can at times posses. The coolest and most revered theory that Lowell ever had was his thoughts on a ninth planet - Planet X. As stated in the quote above, Lowell noticed a pattern of irregularities in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune. This theory would open the door to the discovery of the ninth planet pluto, which would later be deemed a moon. It's interesting how crazy people can discover ground breaking things.
Connection: Lowell's observation of the irregularities in the planets reminded me of patterns we try to identify in math. Like math, astronomical observation take extensive speculation and usually a process. When solving linear equations (and more, just cant think of any at the moment), mathematicians always have to examine the problem and use their process to reach their goal. In the same sense, astronomers face problems with given hints and have to examine the facts and use their process to solve the problem.
Questions: What is the point of identifying planet's and space so far away from us?
Comment: This quote is refering to the genius of an astronomer named Percivel Lowell. According to this article this man, coming from one of the wealthiest families in his time, proposed many famous astronomical theories. The article briefly explains a few, but seems to add a certain comical tone when referring to one of Lowell's most remembered theories, "belief that Mars was covered with canals built by industrious Martians for purposes of conveying water from polar regions to the dry but productive lands nearer the equator."Even though this idea seems out there I believe this theory shows the "Craziness" geniuses can at times posses. The coolest and most revered theory that Lowell ever had was his thoughts on a ninth planet - Planet X. As stated in the quote above, Lowell noticed a pattern of irregularities in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune. This theory would open the door to the discovery of the ninth planet pluto, which would later be deemed a moon. It's interesting how crazy people can discover ground breaking things.
Connection: Lowell's observation of the irregularities in the planets reminded me of patterns we try to identify in math. Like math, astronomical observation take extensive speculation and usually a process. When solving linear equations (and more, just cant think of any at the moment), mathematicians always have to examine the problem and use their process to reach their goal. In the same sense, astronomers face problems with given hints and have to examine the facts and use their process to solve the problem.
Questions: What is the point of identifying planet's and space so far away from us?
No comments:
Post a Comment