Investigating the Origin of the Asteroids and Early Findings on Vesta
This book assesses the origin of asteroids by analyzing the discovery of Vesta in 1807. Wilhelm Olbers, who discovered Vesta, suggested that the asteroids were the result of a primordial planet’s explosion. Cunningham studies that idea in detail through t
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Investigating the Origin of the Asteroids and Early Findings on Vesta Historical Studies in Asteroid Research
Investigating the Origin of the Asteroids and Early Findings on Vesta
Clifford J. Cunningham
Investigating the Origin of the Asteroids and Early Findings on Vesta Historical Studies in Asteroid Research
Clifford J. Cunningham Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA
ISBN 978-3-319-58117-0 ISBN 978-3-319-58118-7 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-58118-7 Library of Congress Control Number: 2017943676 © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Exordium
Fig. 1 Thomas Wright in 1737, mezzotint by Thomas Frye (1710–1762) That comets are capable of distroying such worlds as may chance to fall in their way, is, from their vast magnitude, velocity, firey substance, not at all to be doubted, and it is more than probable from the great and unoccupied distance between ye planet Mars and Jupiter some world may have met with such a final dissolution. – Thomas Wright of Durham Launched into ether, these minute orbs have survived the rush of ages equally with the larger spheres; yet do they seem to us sprung up yesterday, so completely have they for ages been hidden from us. – William Coldwell
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Exordium
In these two quotes, we see the diametrically opposed viewpoints that held sway about the existence of something between Mars and Jupiter. That something was either a primordial planet that experienced a form of dissolution, or a few minute orbs (dubbed asteroids by Charles Burney Jr. for William Herschel, 1738–1822) that were themselves primordial, with ages equal to that of the primary planets. The
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