Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-1988

Publication Title

American Journal Of Physics

Department

Science, Technology and Society

Abstract

Any planetary theory with pretensions of quantitative validity must grapple with the inequality of movement due to Kepler motion. This was so in antiquity no less than today. The technical details of six historically important planetary models are discussed. The relationships of the models to one another and to the real motions of the planets are examined with simple geometrical techniques. The discussion centers on the history of the attempts to provide a model for the motion of Mars.

Volume

56

Issue

11

pp.

1009-1024

ISSN

0002-9505

Share

COinS