Spira Solaris Archytas-Mirabilis Part II
PART II. THE ALTERNATIVE

A. CONSIDERATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS
Although we are perhaps still too close to judge the matter effectively, the apparent lack of progress in coming to terms with the overall structure of the Solar System since the Titius-Bode era suggests that the latter's ad hoc approach was in all likelyhood more of an impediment than a help, and a long-lived impediment at that. With this in mind it therefore seems necessary to seek a wider yet more critical approach to the matter--specifically an approach that: (a) avoids preconceptions and ad hoc methodology and (b), an approach that necessarily incorporates an increased planetary database beyond that restricted to mean heliocentric distances alone. But although the inventory of the Solar System has been enlarged and refined over the past two centuries, fundamental difficulties nonetheless remain. In particular, even if it should prove feasible to approximate the present planetary structure, it may still not be possible to account for the many anomalies that currently exist within the Solar System. Here one necessarily includes such things as origins, changes over time, and also the possibility of occasional catastrophic events, periodic or otherwise. But even without such considerations the absence of a standard frame of reference for planetary systems per se means that we currently have no way of knowing whether the Solar System represents the norm for planetary systems, an evolving or modified form of the latter, or (for whatever reason) an exception to the rule.
Nevertheless, although oddities and exceptions abound and the mechanisms involved remain beyond our understanding, we can at least take stock of the System as we know it today. Thus we may begin with the generally accepted division of the nine planets into two main planetary groups. In due order outwards from the Sun then, are firstly the innermost solid planetary bodies known as the Terrestrial Planets, i.e., Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Beyond the last named lies the Asteriod Belt and beyond this massive Jupiter, the largest of the nine planets and the innermost of the Four Gas Giants--Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Lastly, out beyond Neptune in a class of its own and in an unsual orbit lies tiny Pluto--a body so small that even as a moon it would still rank no higher than the fifth largest moon in the Solar System.

Thus from a preliminary viewpoint there are essentially four distinct regions--the first occupied by the relatively small Terrestrial Planets, the second by the Asteriod Belt, the third by the four immense Gas Giants and lastly the remote and singular domain of tiny Pluto. Here one can at least begin to regroup the data, for it is questionable whether Pluto is necessarily a planet at all, even though it may be occupying a planetary "position" per se . But what constitutes a planetary position in this context anyway, given that we have no established planetary framework to guide us? About all that can be suggested at this stage is that Pluto, though still part of the planetary set represents an anomaly that may or may not be explained by further investigation. Next, a second anomaly of a different kind would seem to be the Asteriod Belt, but while there are over 5,000 asteriods in the region and others beyond it, their combined masses are nevertheless far too small to account for a planet per se. But was there ever a planet between Mars and Jupiter? Again, we simply do not know; but then neither do we know what caused so many asteroids to be in this particular region in the first place, though various hypothetical scenarios involving collisions and/or the gravitational break-up of planets have been proposed (notably by Tom Van Flandern;1 see also the latter's Exploded Planet Hypothesis - 2000). But here matters increase in complexity, for orbital shifts and the redistribution of planetary masses necessarily affect the total angular momentum of the Solar System, rotational component of the Sun included. Which brings us to a third anomaly, namely that although the Sun has by far the greatest mass, it is the planets--predominately the Four Gas Giants--that possess almost all of the angular momentum. Thus postulating orbital changes and/or the break-up of hypothetical planets between Mars and Jupiter (or indeed anywhere in the System) involves mathematics of N-body proportions and complexity. Difficult enough for a single occurrence, what then of other events that may or may may not have been sequential, periodic, or alternatively, totally unrelated in both time and place? As for the early historical side of the matter, there are also problems and unanswered questions that pertain to the precedence of planetary formation itself, i.e., to what extent the Gas Giants may have preceded the Terrestrial planets, and whether the Asteriod Belt and/or the orbit of Pluto preceded or followed the formation of the Terrestrial Planets in turn, etc. Here once again the matter of origins comes to the fore, as does the possibility of catastrophic events and relatively large-scale changes within the Solar System itself. All of which suggest that the first and foremost requirement is an underlying planetary structure--not necessarily complete in its entirety either, but useful enough to provide a valid starting point and an initial frame of reference for further analysis.

But where then to begin? Perhaps with planet Earth itself, not least of all because the mean parameters of Earth provide the frame of reference in relative terms (i.e., with respect to Unity) for Solar System mean distances, periods, velocities, angular momentum and planetary masses, etc. (see Table 1).

Table 1. The Nine Solar System Planets

Table 1. The Nine Solar System Planets
1. Planetary masses include satellites and atmospheres.
2. Mean Heliocentric Distances in Astronomical Units (A.U).
3. Mean Periods of Revolution in Years (Harmonic Law: ref. unity).
4. Planetary diameters in kilometers.
5. (e) Eccentricities.


B. THE INTER-MERCURIAL OBJECT (IMO)
Additional data, i.e., physical composition, orientation of planetary axes and planes of revolution, densities and gravities, etc., could also have been included in Table 1, but they remain difficult to separate from the early formation of the planetary structure itself, with or without subsequent modifications. More in keeping with the present approach and the need to enlarge the available database we may begin on the other hand by adding to the nine attested planets an Inter-Mercurial Object (called hereafter IMO) that owes its origins to orbital parameters determined by Leverrier. Reported in the journal Nature 4 in 1876, the object in question (mean period: 33.0225 days, corresponding mean distance 0.201438 A.U.) lies between Mercury and the Sun as the title implies. Thus for present purposes the object serves to extend the range of planetary mean distances at the innermost extremity, which is not to suggest that the object is/was necessarily a planet per se, but rather (subject to reservations already stated above) an object that may or may not be occupying a planetary location. This step is in fact a minor addition that although helpful is not vital to the development of the final framework or the enlarged database; in fact the latter results largely from the inclusion of mean periods and mean velocities in critical contexts that will be discussed in detail later. However, before moving on to this stage further groundwork remains; specifically the reevaulation of the manner in which planetary orbits and parameters are generally represented.


C. LOGARITHMIC SCALES AND LOGARITHMIC REPRESENTATIONS
In retrospect, the suggestion of an exponential component in the structure of the Solar System implied in the Titius-Bode relationship might reasonably have been explored with far more rigor and forethought than appears to have been the case. After all, it has long been known that the third law of planetary motion--that the cube of the mean distance is equal to the square of the mean period of revolution--is itself exponential (see relations 2g, 2t and 2r below). Moreover, it is obviously beneficial to treat mean planetary data logarithmically, for relative to unity--the fundamental frame of reference--the mean orbital velocities (Vr) of the planets range from approximately 1.6 to 0.16 (actual values: 1.6072 to 0.1609); the mean heliocentric distances (A) range from approximately 0.39 to 39 A.U. (0.387 to 39.45 A.U.) and the mean periods of revolution (T) from approximately 0.24 to 240 years (0.2408 to 248.081 Years ) . Thus the three sets of mean values fall into convenient exponential ranges of 10,1 10,2 and 10.3 In other words, the decadic expansion: 1 : 10 : 100 : 1000 and therefore the third law and the Solar System may be conveniently represented along the diagonal ("5") of 4-Cycle/3-Cycle log paper (for examples see below; also Zeilik,2p.63 and a logarithmic x-axis representation of the mean distances by Nieto 3 ). Secondly, the overall planview of the Solar System could also be examined from a logarithmic viewpoint. In fact, although it may not be immediately obvious, it is particularly beneficial to represent Solar System orbits logarithmically since the three innermost terrestrial planets (Earth, Venus and Mercury) cannot even be discerned using normal values and normal means of presentation (see Figure 2a). On the other hand, logarithmic ranges in such applications effectively compress the outermost values and expand the inner, thus providing an informative and revealing view of the entire Solar System as shown in Figure 2b:

Fig 1a.  The Solar System: EllipticalOrbits, Normal Scale

Figure 2a. Elliptical Orbits, Normal Scale.    Figure 2b. Mean Distance Orbits, Logarithmic Scale

Apart from its convenience this representation of the mean value orbits also suggests that:
  1. A degree of linear separation (i.e., log-linearity) may exist in the spacings of the majority of the planets in the Solar System.
  2. In particular, log-linearity appears to be present among the three adjacent planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus in the Gas Giant Zone.
  3. Further, log-linearity also appears to be present among the three Terrestrial Planets Mercury, Venus and Mars in the Terrestrial Zone.
  4. Although no planet exists in the Mars-Jupiter Gap, the Mars-Jupiter mean matches the spacing between the two log-linear zones.
  5. Possible deviations from both log-linear sequences are suggested by the orbits of Earth in the inner zone and that of Neptune in the outer.
With respect to the latter possibilities, the "kink" in Bode's Law discussed in Part I has already engendered the suggestion that Earth may be occupying a "synodic" (i.e., intermediate) position between Venus and Mars. Similarly, from Figure 2b it can be surmised that Neptune may perhaps be occupying an "intermediate" or "synodic" position between Pluto and Uranus. If so, then Pluto (though still an errant moon rather than a planet per se) may in turn be occupying the next planetary position beyond Uranus.

Although the preliminary possibilities suggested by the log-linear representation of the Solar System are little more than that at present, the latter approach nevertheless provides further avenues for investigation. In particular, the mean distances can now be reexamined in terms of the Solar System planet-to-planet increments discussed in Part I, but from a narrower viewpoint with a correspondingly sharper focus. Thus the planet-to-planet multiplication factors shown below concentrate primarily on the two indicated log-linear zones while the distances and attendant multiplication factors for Earth and Neptune are for the time being excluded.

Table 2. Planet-to-planet increases in Mean Distance

Table 2. X-Factors: Planet-to-Planet Mean Distances

The inclusion of IMO in the Terrestrial Region, the corresponding multiplication factor 1.921679 and the Venus to Mars x-factor leads to a mean value multiplier for the orbits of IMO, Mercury, Venus and Mars of 1.965517. In a similar way, the inclusion of the Uranus to Pluto x-factor results in a mean value multiplier of 1.967477 for the three adjacent planets of interest in the Gas Giant Zone (Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus). Thus the exclusion of the x-factors for Neptune and Earth results in mean multipliers in the Terrestrial and Gas Giant zones that differ by less than 0.1 percent. In other words, the mean distances in these two zones apparently increase by a multiplication factor of around 1.966... Which brings us back to Bode's Law and the suggestion of doubling for the mean distances and also, what was stated earlier, i.e., that the exponential component inherent in the latter might well have been pursued with greater forethought and vigour. But is there a constant value by which the planetary mean distance increase? In terms of the exponential framework at least, the answer is yes, but it is not something as simple as the integer 2, nor can it be determined from the information considered so far. It is in fact a precise value, i.e. 1.899547627.. obtainable to whatever degree of accuracy is desired, as will be shown in later sections.

Continuing with the preliminary indications provided by Figure 2b and as suggested in Part I, the planet-to-planet increases for Earth and Mars may both be atypical, with Earth possibly occupying an "intermediate" position between Mars and Venus. In Part I it was not possible discuss the matter in further detail, but here in Table 2 the mean values provide further frames of reference, or more properly, indexes of the proximity of adjacent planets and a tentative reference frame for the mean distances. In other words, values that are greater than the mean may serve to indicate that the body in question is further out from the Sun than the "theoretical" norm (i.e., the position corresponding to the log-linear framework), while values that are lower are correspondingly nearer the Sun, etc. Thus in practice, Venus may be considered to be slightly closer to the Sun, while Mars (because of the Venus-Mars and Earth-Mars increases) considerably further out. Similarly, both Uranus and Pluto may also be considered to be beyond the "norm", while Neptune--already suspected of occupying an "intermediate" position--may be much closer in. Moreover, the data in Table 2 also shows that the increases for the two exceptions (Earth and Neptune) are not only similar in value, they also appear to be reversed. Here, of course, matters are complicated by the possibility (if not the fact) that the distances for the neighbouring planets (i.e., Mars in the inner zone and Uranus in the outer) may also deviate somewhat from the "norm" for whatever cause and whatever reason. About all that can be said at present is that these preliminary indications remain simply that. What is required next is the introduction of synodic motion and orbital velocity, after which the suspected deviations and anomalous locations of Earth, Neptune and the Mars-Jupiter Gap may be revisited and examined in further detail.


D. SYNODIC MOTION 

D1-1 SYNODIC FORMULAS
Although the majority of attempts to come to terms with the structure of the Solar System have naturally and traditionally concentrated on mean heliocentric distances, it seems likely--especially in view of the limited amount of progress to date--that more tools and more data are required. Given the known relationship between mean distances and mean periods inherent in the third law of planetary motion (see relations 2g, 2t and 2r below)--it therefore seems reasonable to include the mean periods of revolution, though this step requires a further expansion before it becomes usable in the present context.
    What is required is something that binds the planets together, and for this purpose synodic periods and planetary velocities now enter into the discussion, i.e., if the planets are indeed ordered, then the manner in which they move with respect to each other should also be ordered, and any ordering that involves the distances necessarily also involves both the periods and  the velocities. Which means, because of the exponential relationships that exist between all three, that the two latter sets of parameters are also available for present purposes.
In more detail, although rarely described in the following form, for any pair of co-orbital bodies (where T2 denotes the sidereal period of an outer body, T1 the period of revolution of an inner body, and
T2 > T1) the general synodic period (or "lap" time) may be expressed as the product of the two sidereal periods (T1 and T2) divided by their difference:

Rel. 1a: The General Synodic Formula
Rel. 1a: The General Synodic Formula

Here the mean parameters of Earth provide the standard frame of reference (unity). The synodic periods of the planets are more commonly given with respect to the relative motion of Earth using simpler formulas. The latter variants are, however, merely special cases of Relation 1a with unity (the sidereal period of Earth) replacing T1 or T2 according to which group of planets is under consideration. Relation 1a is also further simplified by implicit multiplication (i.e., by unity:  1 x T2 = T2, etc.) such that:

Rel. 1b: Synodic Periods ( Superior Planets )

Rel. 1b: Synodic Periods ( Superior Planets )

and:

Rel. 1c: Synodic Periods ( Inferior Planets )

Rel. 1c: Synodic Periods ( Inferior Planets )

In view of what follows next, however, a more detailed explanation appears to be in order. Firstly, such computations concern the time required for a swifter co-orbital body to lap a slower orbital body, or more precisely, the time required for one orbital body to complete 360 degrees of sidereal motion with respect to the other.
   For example, applying convenient approximate sidereal periods of revolution for Saturn and Uranus of T1 =  30 years and T2 = 90 years, the mean motion per unit time (i.e., per year) is 360/30 = 12 degrees and 360/90 = 4 degrees respectively, resulting in an annual difference of 8 degrees. The synodic (or lap) time of the faster planet Saturn (T1) with respect to the slower planet (Uranus, T2) is therefore 360 degrees divided by the last result, i.e., 360/8 = 45 years. Thus the synodic period expressed in years is obtained from the following procedure:

Rel. 1d: The Derivation of the General Synodic Formula

Rel. 1d: The Derivation of the General Synodic Formula

to arrive back at the general synodic formula (Relation 1a) and the framework for both special cases (Relation 1b and 1c). 

D1-2 SYNODIC CYCLES
    With the motion and mean parameters of Earth providing the fundamental frame of reference for planetary mean distances, the mean periods and the mean velocities it now proves possible to extend the investigation to include synodic cycles between each adjacent planetary pairing in the Solar System. For example, in simple terms, in the cases of the first three gas giants the synodic cycle of Jupiter with respect to Saturn (i.e., Jupiter's lap-cycle) is approximately 20 years while that of Saturn with respect to the next planet (Uranus) is (as seen above) approximately 45 years. Thus the two synodic periods lie neatly between the sidereal periods of the bracketing planets in both cases. But what of the synodic cycle of Uranus with respect to Neptune, the latter planet already suspected of occupying a synodic location? In this case the synodic cycle turns out to be greater than that of Neptune itself . It is natural, therefore to wonder if the same situation prevails in the case of the other suspected anomaly, i.e., the position of Earth and therefore the synodic cycle of Earth with respect to Mars. Here once again the synodic period turns out to be greater than that of the outermost planet in the pairing. But this is not all, for the two suspect planets Earth and Neptune now show a further anomaly, namely that the synodic cycles on either side of these two planets are larger than the sidereal period of the planet itself (see Table 3). A double coincidence? Perhaps, perhaps not, especially when the remaining synodic cycles are all found to follow a consistant yet different pattern, i.e, for the Terrestrial planets from IMO to Venus and the first three Gas Giants the intervening synodic periods each lie between their associated bracketing planets. Moreover, if we do consider that Earth might be occupying the synodic position between Venus and Mars, then the Terrestrial Planets sequence can be extended by two additional steps with the inclusion of Mars. But even without this extension and IMO it seems that two similar log-linear regions might exist in the present Solar System--the first involving the three successive periods from Mercury to Venus (five with the inclusion of Mars), and the second from Jupiter to Uranus once again involving five successive periods. The IMO-Venus and Jupiter-Uranus sequences along with the two main anomalies and associated synodic periods for Earth and Neptune are shown in Table 3:

Table 2. Mean Planetary and Mean Synodic Periods

Table 3. Solar System Sidereal and Synodic Periods

Before proceeding with the next stage is seems necessary to emphasize that although the mean synodic periods represent difference or lap cycles between successive pairs of adjacent co-orbital planets, such cycles nevertheless represent complete revolutions of 360 degrees per mean synodic period. The difference between this type of orbital motion and planetary revolutions per se is that the latter take place with respect to a fixed sidereal reference point, whereas the former take place with respect to a moving point of reference. Even so, for every such mean synodic period the concept of an equivalent sidereal period and equivalent synodic "orbit" can be applied. With this device applied consistantly throughout, the equivalent synodic orbits may then be included in log-scale representations of the Solar System. Here the results serve to emphasize the log-linear aspect far more effectively than the numeric representation provided in Table 2. In fact, omitting both Neptune and Pluto for the time being, the suggestion of log-linearity appears to be quite pronounced whether planet-to-planet, synodic-to synodic, or indeed sequentially (i.e. planet-synodic-planet) in the two log-linear zones under consideration (see Figures 2c, 2d and 2e). Although no planet can be assigned to the Asteriod Belt per se, an orbit that corresponds to the geometric mean between Mars and Jupiter ( 2.8156896 A.U., sidereal period: 4.7247945 years) also provides bracketing synodic periods similar to those of the Terrestrial and Gas Giant zones, if not the continuation from the latter to the former. Not included in the table but shown in Figures 2c and 2d is the Venus-Mars synodic of 0.914222 years that lies just inside to the mean orbit of Earth. Omitted for clarity from the Figures 2c and 2d are the Earth-Mars and Mars-Jupiter synodics that with mean periods of 2.135375 years and 2.234902 years respectively lie just beyond the orbit of Mars.

Fig1C. Mean Planetary and Mean Synodic Orbits. Fig1D. Synodics and the Two Log-Linear Zones

Figure 2c. Mean Planetary and Mean Synodic Orbits.  Figure 2d. Synodic orbits in the Two Log-Linear Zones



E. VELOCITY RELATIONSHIPS
The next step in the inquiry involves the inclusion of mean orbital velocity. Here, perhaps surprisingly (perhaps not), enlightenment is provided by Galileo's research into projectile trajectories and his logical (albeit thinly veiled) expansion of the topic to include planetary motion and planetary origins.5 The keys to the matter provided by Galileo follow the detailed discussion of a "standard" parabola described in the latter's Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences (1538), after which the dialogue unexpectedly expands to include Plato, planetary motion and percussive origins in the Solar System: 6
SAGREDO. Allow me, please, to interrupt in order that I may point out the beautiful agreement between this thought of the Author and the views of Plato concerning the origin of the various uniform speeds with which the heavenly bodies revolve. The latter chanced upon the idea that a body could not pass from rest to any given speed and maintain it uniformly except by passing through all the degrees of speed intermediate between the given speed and rest. Plato thought that God, after having created the heavenly bodies, assigned them the proper and uniform speeds with which they were forever to revolve; and that He made them start from rest and move over definite distances under a natural and rectilinear acceleration such as governs the motion of terrestrial bodies. He added that once these bodies had gained their proper and permanent speed, their rectilinear motion was converted into a circular one, the only motion capable its desired goal.
···· This conception is truly worthy of Plato; and it is all the more highly prized since its undying principles remained hidden until discovered by our Author who removed from them the mask and poetical dress and set forth the idea in correct historical perspective. In view of the fact that astronomical science furnishes us such complete information concerning the size of the planetary orbits, the distances of these bodies from their centers of revolution, and their velocities, I cannot help thinking that our Author (to whom this idea of Plato was not unknown) had some curiosity to discover whether or not a definite "sublimity" might be assigned to each planet, such that, if it were to start from rest at this particular height and to fall with naturally accelerated motion along a straight line, and were later to change the speed thus acquired into uniform motion, the size of the orbit and its period of revolution would be those actually observed.

SALVIATI. I think I remember his having told me that he once made the computation and found a satisfactory correspondence with the observation. But he did not wish to speak of it, lest in view of the odium which his many new discoveries had already brought upon him, this might be adding fuel to the fire. But if anyone desires such information he can obtain it for himself from the theory set forth in the present treatment. (Fourth Day [282-283], Dialogues Concerning The New Sciences, Galilei Galileo; translated by Henry Crew and Antonio de Salvio, Dover, New York 1954:259-260; emphasis supplied)

Galileo's obscure treatment of this topic is readily explained by the fact that the Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences was written after his trial for heresy for espousing the heliocentric concept in two earlier works. Following his conviction by the Inquisition in 1633 Galileo was subsequently forced to recant and thereafter forbidden to discuss the heliocentric hypothesis again, or suffer the penalties of relapse.
Nevertheless, it seems that Galileo was still intent on passing on his understanding of certain matters, irrespective of the dangers inherent in doing so. Certainly, he seems to have supplied enough clues and information to justify the last statement by Salviati. A detailed account of the matter need not be given here since it is sufficient for present purposes to provide the following expansions of the laws of planetary motion that result from the exercise itself, specifially the extension of the Third (or Harmonic) Law of Planetary motion:

Relations 2g, 2t amd 2r: The Third or Harmonic Law

Relations 2g, 2t and 2r: The Third or Harmonic Law

to include the mean orbital velocities as follows: 5

Relations 2a- 2c: Velocity Expansions of the Harmonic Law

Relations 2a-2c: Velocity Expansions of the Harmonic Law

Once again such relationships serve to emphasize that if the mean distances of the planets are indeed ordered, then the manner in which the planets move with respect to one another, and thus the mean periods and the mean velocities, should also be ordered. Which in a sense means that with these new additions the major orbital parameters available for analysis have been effectively quadrupled. The use of the Inverse Velocity in this context may appear unusual at first acquaintance, but it is a useful device nevertheless. Moreover, as it turns out, the inverse velocities also play an important and unexpected role in the determination of the log-linear framework under consideration, as will be seen later.


F. INVERSE VELOCITY RELATIONSHIPS
During the preliminary phase of the present investigation, relations [2b] and [2c] were instrumental in bringing to light that fact there presently exist in the Solar System a pair of unusual of inverse-velocity relationships that connect the two suspected log-linear zones. This was discovered quite accidently during the routine preparation of mean planetary data using standard spreadsheet techniques. As most spreadsheet users are aware, the supreme addressibility of spreadsheets permits the "rolling" (i.e., copying) of instructions that refer to the contents of other cells and/or columns. To produce tables of mean planetary distances, periods and velocities, etc., it is therefore only necessary to use one set of data (e.g., mean distances) to determine all the rest by applying relations [1] through [2c] to adjacent columns in the spreadsheet. It was in fact during this routine task that the Mercury-Venus-Uranus relationship came to light during the generation of the synodic periods when (among other things) the cell addresses and the formulas for the inverse velocities were inadvertently applied instead of the sidereal periods. But as happens now and again, such errors sometimes lead to potentially more useful results than the original task itself. As for the adage: "Chance Favours the Prepared Mind," well that too in some respects, for by this time the investigation had been reduced to the two log-linear zones from Mercury to Uranus with the velocity of the latter the last entry in the column adjacent to the one containing the error. But whether accident, "sleepwalking" in Arthur Koestler's complex sense of the term, or whatever, this incidental relationship nevertheless provided a difference in velocities of only 0.02 percent, i.e.,

Relations 3a - 3b: The Venus-Mercury-Uranus  Mean Velocity Relationship

Relations 3a - 3b: Venus-Mercury: Uranus mean velocities

In general and especially in view of its potential importance as a link between the two log-linear zones, this relationship clearly merited further pursuit, possible coincidence or not. As it turned out--plain dogwork from this point on--one more inverse-velocity relationship with mean values that differed by less than one percent was found to exist among the planets in the Solar system, in this case involving Mars and the adjacent major superior planets Jupiter and Saturn, providing a further link between the two log-linear zones:

Relations 4a - 4b: The Saturn-Jupiter-Mars Mean Velocity Relationship

Relations 4a - 4b: Saturn-Jupiter: Mars mean velocities

The question of whether any inverse velocity relationships might exist among adjacent synodic cycles revealed in turn a case that linked in a somewhat complex manner the three adjacent Gas Giants Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus with the adjacent Terrestrial planets Venus and Earth, i.e.,

Relations 4c - 4d: Saturn/Uranus, Jupiter/Saturn: Venus/Earth mean velocites

Relations 4c - 4d: Saturn/Uranus, Jupiter/Saturn: Venus/Earth mean velocites

In other words:

Vi Venus - Vi Mercury approximates the mean velocity of the planet Uranus
Vi Saturn
- ViJupiter approximates the mean velocity of the planet Mars.

Vi Saturn/Uranus Synodic
- ViJupiter/Saturn Synodic approximates the mean velocity of the Venus-Earth synodic cycle.

The inclusion of Earth in this context--synodic location notwithstanding--thus serves to augment the linkage between the Terrestrial planets of the lower log-linear zone and the three gas giants of the outer zone, i.e., Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus as shown in Table 4.

Table 4. The Inverse Velocity Relationships, Synodics, and the Two Log-Linear Zones

Table 4. The Inverse Velocity Relationships, Synodics, and the Two Log-Linear Zones

One or two other inverse-velocity relationship also appear to exist that are almost sequential--a qualifier necessary here in so much as the latter appear to incorporate synodics and planetary inverse velocities. But there are also other considerations and complications to be addressed, for although mean values are applied in these relationships, in real time such functions vary according to the elliptical natures of the associated orbits. Nevertheless, in the case of the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn relationship, with frames of reference provided by the mean orbital velocity of Earth of 29.7859 kilometers per second and 24.1309 kilometers per second for that of Mars, real-time maxima and minima for Relation [4b] range between 19.66 and 28.3 kilometers per second, thus well exceeding the extremal velocities of  Mars itself. However, utilizing the methods of Bretagon and Simon7 adapted to generate sequential data for 5-day intervals from 1700 to 2000 A. D., the mean value nevertheless still turns out to be 24.0938 kilometers per second, as shown in Figure 2e below for the interval 1900 to 2000 (velocities relative to unity).

Figure 2e. The 60-Year Saturn-Jupiter Vid (Inverse velocity) cycle: 1900 - 2000

Figure 2e. The 60-Year Saturn-Jupiter Vid (Inverse velocity) cycle: 1900 - 2000

Similarly, the data for the real-time function based on Relation [4s1] reveals that although there is an even wider swing in extremal values, the mean value is also comparable to that obtained from Relation [4s1] directly. All of which is further complicated by the proximity of the Mars-Jupiter synodic to the Earth-Mars synodic and various resonances known to exist in the Solar System--complications that at this stage no doubt intrude rather than enlighten and as such will be deferred for the time being.

Finally, suffice it to note here that although only a few inverse-velocity relationships are readily apparent in the Solar System and the scarcity might suggest these relations have little to do with the log-linear sequences, it turns out that they are in fact an integral feature with corresponding values for all planetary and synodic positions. The reason for there being so few would appear to lie in the fact that the inverse-velocity relationships are influenced in no small way by deviations in the planetary structure. Thus with three suspected deviations to contend with it is perhaps fortunate that those that were evident were sufficient to connect the two log-linear zones in the manner discussed above.
To summarize the investigation so far, there are indications that in spite of a number of anomalies, the Solar System may possess two log-linear zones separated by the Asteriod Belt. With the addition of the intervening synodic periods and the inverse-velocity relationships, it can be tentatively suggested that there are essentially five consecutive inter-related periods in the outer zone, and (with IMO included) five more in the inner zone, or with the further inclusion of Mars, seven as emphasized below in Figure 2f.

Fig1f. The Period-Distance Relationship and the Two Log-Linear Zones

Figure 2f. The Period-Distance Relationship, Synodics, and the Two Log-Linear Zones

Fundamental questions that remain are the validity of the inverse-velocity relations themselves, what assistance they might render in the determination of the log-linear framework and whether or not a single unifying log-linear function can be derived that connects the outer and inner log-linear zones.



G. CONSTANTS OF LINEARITY
G.1 THE CONSTANT OF LINEARITY
The fundamental question that remains to be answered is whether an exponential component exists in the structure of the Solar System. This is certainly suggested by the near log-linear spacings of the sidereal and synodic periods for the inferior planets (Mercury and Venus) and similar spacings further out among the adjacent superior planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Moreover, a related question that also above was whether the trio of unexpected inverse-velocity relationships that link the outer and inner log-linear regions were residuals of the same suspected exponential structure, the anomalous locations of Earth, Neptune and Pluto notwithstanding.
Fortunately in one sense, and unfortunately in another, the suggestion of log-linearity in two separate regions of the Solar System and the complex linkage provided by the inverse-velocity relationships impose rigid requirements on any exponential function that might connect the two. In particular, an exponential function for the mean periods (both sidereal and synodic) in the form P(x) = Mtkx (where Mt is a base constant provided by the mean sidereal period of Mercury) must not only produce the three inverse-velocity relationships in the same order, it must also generate a complete exponential planetary framework that commences with the mean sidereal period of Mercury for x = 0, thereafter sequentially generate the Mercury-Venus synodic (Ts) for x = 1, followed by the mean sidereal period of Venus for x = 2, and so on. Furthermore, if as suggested in the first two parts, Earth is indeed occupying the synodic location between Venus and Mars, then the position for Earth must necessarily be obtained from the next exponent (3), followed by exponent 4 for Mars. Moreover, from the log-linear representations demonstrated in Part II it is clear that sufficient spacing exists to incorporate a planetary position in the Mars-Jupiter Gap itself and also synodic locations on either side. Together these three positions should therefore account for exponents 5, 6 and 7. This leaves the successive mean sidereal and mean synodic periods for Jupiter through Uranus to be generated in turn by exponents 8 through 12, with results that should also produce inverse-velocity relations comparable to those exhibited in the Solar System. Lastly, if IMO (the Inter-Mercurial Object) is indeed occupying a valid planetary position, then the function should also be expandable in the opposite direction and thus include both the latter's mean sidereal period and the IMO-Mercury synodic for exponents -2 and -1 respectively.
Essentially, what is required then, is a continuous exponential function for the mean periods that connects the two log-linear zones utilizing sequential exponents that run from -2 through 12 and beyond. This requirement is illustrated by the equal spacings on the diagonal of the 1000 year log-linear representation provided by Figure 1g with Earth assigned the synodic location between Mars, and Pluto omitted for the time being.

Fig 4. The Target  Exponential Period Function

Fig 2g. The Exponential Period Function P(x) = Mtk x ( x = - 2, -1, 0, 1, 2,..,12 )

Thus, commencing with a base provided by the mean sidereal period of Mercury, i.e., Mk 0= M, the next position (Mk 1) corresponds to the Mercury-Venus Synodic, followed in due order by the mean sidereal period of Venus from Mk 2. Fortunately, because of general synodic formula [1]:

Relation 1a. The General Synodic Formula

the first expansion Mk1 is directly obtainable from the product of the mean sidereal periods of Mercury and Venus divided by their difference:

Relation 1b. The Synodic Formula and the First Expansion

Thus k, the constant of linearity, i.e., the factor by which the mean periods (sidereal and synodic) increase is readily obtained by substitution.
The resulting quadratic equation k2 - k - 1 = 0 and the application of the quadratic formula:

The Quadratic Formula

lead in turn to the determination that the value of k for the fundamental periods of the Solar System is constant Phi = 1.6180339887949, the "Golden Section" known and revered since antiquity, defined in turn by the resulting quadratic equation (Livio, 2002) 8

    From this result it is apparent that the mean periods of revolution and intervening synodic periods increase sequentially by successive powers of Phi itself, while the mean periods of the planets themselves increase in turn by Phi squared with the corresponding constants for the mean heliocentric distances and mean orbital velocities readily obtained from the Harmonic Law and velocity variants discussed earlier, i.e.,

Relations 5a-7b  The Fundamental Planetary Constants

Relations 5a-7b. Primary Pheidian Constants: Periods, Distances and Velocities

At which, point, now that we have arrived at the required constant of linearity and found it to be the Golden Section, two prime related sources may be supplied:

1. The Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden section Site ( http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fib.html  )
2. The Museum of Harmony and the Golden Section  ( http://www.goldenmuseum.com/index_engl.html ).

In particular with respect to the above determination, from the latter: The Geometrical Definition of the Golden Section and also Music of the Celestial Orbits with its reference to the researches of Russian astronomer K. P. Butusov, who in 1978:9

"established, that the ratios of the adjacent planets cycle times around of the Sun are equal to the golden proportion 1.618, or its square 2.618. "

which is, of course, essentially the above result. 

Dr. K. P. Butusov also provides (among other determinations) related Planetary Period and Planetary Distance Laws in the following abstract:

Butusov K.P.
In the work it is demonstrated, that in a field of acoustic waves, that are aroused at the account of the tidal action of planets, there may exist a special resonance, which we have called  « beating waves  resonance ».  This  resonance arises wherever there exists equality between beating period and the sum or difference of the circulation periods of the two neighbouring planets (Beating period - being a quantity inverse of the difference between planets circulation frequences).  In case of the sum, the periods ratio is equal to θ - the Phidias Number, (θ = 1.6180339), while in case of the difference the periods ratio is equal to θ2, (θ2 = 2.6180339).  On this basis law was formulated named a Planet Periods Law, which says, that planets circulation periods form number sequences of Fibonacci and the one of Lucas.  In second case the orbit radii form a geometrical progression with denominator θ4/3  (θ4/3 =1.899546).  According to the Planet  Distances Law of  Johannes Titius, the orbit radii form a geometrical progression with the denominator  2, even though observational data give a value of 1.9.  So we think that the Planet  Distances Law - is a sequel of the beating waves resonance and, accordingly, of the Planet Periods Law. ( http//www.shaping.ru/mku/butusovart/05/05.pdf )

Thus the initial lines of inquiry may be different, but the same exponential framework and fundamental constants nevertheless result.
In the next section the exponential planetary framework will be explored more fully in terms of similarities, deviations, the spiral form, and multiple fibonacci resonances apparent in the present Solar System.



REFERENCES

  1. Van Flandern, Tom. Dark Matter, Missing planets and New Comets , North Atlantic Books, Berkeley 1993, 1999.
  2. Zeilik, M. Astronomy and the Evolving Universe, Harper and Row, New York, 1976.
  3. Nieto, M.M., "The Titius-Bode Law and the Evolution of the Solar System," Icarus 25 (1974) 171-174.
  4. Leverrier, M, "The Intra-Mercurial Planet Question," Nature 14 (1876) 533. [Anon.]
  5. Harris, J. "Projectiles, Parabolas, and Velocity Expansions of the Laws of Planetary Motion," Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol. 83, No.3 (June 1989):207-218.
  6. Galileo, G. Dialogues Concerning The New Sciences, translated by Henry Crew and Antonio de Salvio, Dover, New York, 1954.
  7. Bretagnon, P and Jean-Louis Simon, Planetary Programs and Tables from -4000 to +2800, Willman-Bell, Inc. Richmond, 1986.
  8. Livio, M. The Golden  Ratio. The Story of Phi, The World's Most Astonishing Number, Broadway Books, New York 2002. 
  9. Butusov, K. P
    "Golden  Section in Solar system" in Astrometry and Celestial Mechanics, Collected Papers Celebrating the 90th Birthday of A.A. Mikhailov, Moscow and Leningrad: Izd An. SSSR. 1978. 
Copyright © 1997. John N. Harris, M.A.(CMNS). Last Updated on June 21, 2004


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