Long-range order between the planets in the Solar system

Jakob Bohr, Kasper Olsen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The Solar System is investigated for positional correlations between the planets using a logarithmic distance scale. The pair correlation function for the logarithm of the semimajor axis shows a regular distribution with 5-7 consecutive peaks, and the Fourier transform hereof shows reciprocal peaks of first and second order. A procedure involving random permutations for the shuffling of the inter--logarithmic distances is employed to check for the significance of the presence of order of longer range than neighbor planets correlations. The use of permutations is a particular helpful analysis when the number of data points is small. The pair correlation function of the permutated planets lacks the sequence of equidistant peaks and its Fourier transform has no second order peak. This analysis demonstrates the existence of longer ranged correlations in the Solar System.
Original languageEnglish
JournalRoyal Astronomical Society. Monthly Notices. Letters (Print)
Volume403
Issue number1L
Pages (from-to)59-63
ISSN1745-3925
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Keywords

  • history and philosophy of astronomy - planets and satellites.
  • Solar system

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