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Originally Posted by Dave  Does that have anything to do with Bode's Law?
A mathematical relationship between the mean distances of the planets from the Sun, demonstrated by the German astronomer J.E. Bode in 1772.
It is based upon the progression 0,3,6, etc. To each number in the series 4 is added. The resulting figures, divided by ten, then represent remarkably closely the mean distances of most of the planets measured in Astronomical Units (AU).
Only, that it seems to me to be something fundamental that is worth further research to discover exactly why. |
If you divide a line such that the whole line to the larger part is the same as the larger part to the smaller part, then the golden ratio is the number given by dividine the either the whole by the larger part, or the larger part by the smaller part. The decimal expression is 1.618...
Or in closed form is (sqrt(5)+1)/2
Bode's indeed may prove useful in determining how the solar system formed. It demonstrates a geometric distribution of the planets about the sun. If you plot the natural sattellites of Jupiter or Saturn vs. their number, you will notice you can sort of form a geometric distribution about them, you may have to leave out some small satellites to make a smooth curve.