CHAP. III - The Stability of the Solar System

Summary

There is a consequence resulting from the actual structure of the solar system, which has been brought to light by the investigations of mathematicians concerning the cause and laws of its motions, and which has an important bearing on our argument. It appears that the arrangement which at present obtains is precisely that which is necessary to secure the stability of the system. This point we must endeavour to explain.

If each planet were to revolve round the sun without being affected by the other planets, there would be a certain degree of regularity in its motion; and this regularity would continue for ever. But it appears, by the discovery of the law of universal gravitation, that the planets do not execute their movements in this insulated and independent manner. Each of them is acted on by the attraction of all the rest. The Earth is constantly drawn by Venus, by Mars, by Jupiter, bodies of various magnitudes, perpetually changing their distances and positions with regard to the earth; the Earth in return is perpetually drawing these bodies. What, in the course of time, will be the result of this mutual attraction?

All the planets are very small compared with the sun, and therefore the derangement which they produce in the motion of one of their number will be very small in the course of one revolution. But this gives us no security that the derangement may not become very large in the course of many revolutions.