Celestial Dynamics Quotes

Heaven is tens of thousands of leagues from earth. Yet with the help of a few figures, one may determine the positions and trajectories of celestial bodies. So while Being is immense and its manifestations marvelous and limitless, it follows none the less a constant rule.

Just as the system of the sun, planets and comets is put in motion by the forces of gravity, and its parts persist in their motions, so the smaller systems of bodies also seem to be set in motion by other forces and their particles to be variously moved in relation to each other and, especially, by the electric force.

Let's find a new way to think about the entire taxonomy of solar system objects, and not clutch to this concept of 'planet,' which, of course, only ever meant, 'Do you move against the background stars, regardless of what you're made of?'

The motions which the planets now have could not spring from any natural cause alone, but were impressed by an intelligent Agent.

We can be very sure that as we discover new aspects of the expanding and evolving universe, we will be startled and amazed once again.

Planets' orbits are elliptical. It's a very pleasing shape.

We may have a tacit understanding of how our solar system works, but watching the sun disappear behind the moon reminds us of the vastness of space and the enduring mysteries of the universe we inhabit.

The principal reason for the universe's poker face is that its constituents are far away. Stars careen through space, and galaxies spin at speeds thousands of times faster than a jet plane. But given their distance, you'd need the patience of Job to notice much change in their appearance or position.

… it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial motions through careful and expert study.

But the sky is interesting, it changes all the time.

The motions of the comets are exceedingly regular, and they observe the same laws as the motions of the planets, but they differ from the motions of vortices in every particular and are often contrary to them.

Until very recently, the heavenly bodies have been investigated only with reference to their position and their laws of motion, and a quarter of a century ago astronomy was little more than celestial topography.

Therefore, in the course of the work I have followed this plan: I describe in the first book all the positions of the orbits together with the movements which I ascribe to the Earth, in order that this book might contain, as it were, the general scheme of the universe.

I have seen the movement of the sinews of the sky, And the blood coursing in the veins of the moon.

In so many and such important ways, then, do the planets bear witness to the earth's mobility.

The underlying sense of form in my work has been the system of the universe, or part thereof. For that is a rather large model to work from.