How Planets Move explores the fascinating principles governing planetary motion, revealing the elegant dance of planets through the cosmos. It begins with a historical overview, contrasting geocentric and heliocentric models, before diving into the groundbreaking contributions of astronomers like Kepler and Newton. The book highlights how seemingly complex orbits are governed by fundamental physical laws, emphasizing that Newton's laws offer a framework for predicting celestial movements.
The book then presents Kepler's laws, explaining the elliptical nature of orbits, the concept of equal areas in equal times, and the relationship between orbital period and semi-major axis. Transitioning to Newton's law of universal gravitation, it demonstrates how this law mathematically explains Kepler's empirical observations. It also discusses perturbations, revealing how gravitational interactions cause deviations from perfect orbits.
Finally, the book explores real-world applications, such as calculating orbital parameters for spacecraft and understanding exoplanetary systems. This book uniquely bridges physics with mathematics and engineering, revealing the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines. It adopts a systematic approach, guiding readers through concepts with clarity, making it valuable for students, amateur astronomers, and anyone curious about the science of planetary motion and celestial mechanics.
