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Medieval Science
A 3D model of Johannes Kepler's diagram of the inner planets, first
published in his 1596 book Mysterium Cosmographicum. At
that time six planets were known, and the hypothesis that their orbits
were spherical shells nested between the five Platonic solids seemed
as reasonable as string theory does now.
Drawn in a 3 1/4" cube, this model shows the inner planets: Mercury,
Venus, Earth and Mars. Next outwards would be the tetrahedron,
then Jupiter, then a cube, and lastly Saturn, the outermost planet of
the time.
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Kepler
was one of the great mathematicians of his day. Best known as
the founder of celestial mechanics – after making this model he
discovered that the planets move in ellipses – he did fundamental
work in optics and integral calculus, as well as discovering and
classifying many new polyhedra.
The Inner Planets Crystal comes with clear rubber feet to prevent scratches
on your desk or mantel. Without the stand, it will work best
against a dark background.
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Abiding Harmony
Kepler's model reminds us that we have always expected the principles
of nature to point towards elegance and simplicity. Although his
orbital hypotheses were soon disproved, that expectation remains one
of the guiding lights of scientific progress.
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White light stand - $21
Light up the celestial spheres with this sleek
piano-finish stand. The LEDs are cool, long-lasting, bright by
day or night, and use little energy. |
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