1979 06 00 OMNI - Counter-Earth

Magazine Overview

Title: A HIDDEN EARTH STARS
Issue: 22
Publisher: OMNI
Document Type: Magazine Issue
Author: Patrick Moore

This article from OMNI magazine, authored by Patrick Moore, delves into the intriguing concepts of hypothetical planets within our solar system, focusing on 'Vulcan' and 'Counter-Earth'.

The Search for New Planets

The article begins by acknowledging the long-standing idea of 'new planets' existing within our familiar solar system. It mentions that for years, there have been suggestions that our known celestial neighbors—Mercury, Venus, Mars, and others—might not be the complete count, and that one or more members of the sun's family might still await discovery.

Vulcan: A Failed Hypothesis

Moore revisits the idea, prevalent a century ago, that another planet could be found orbiting within the orbit of Mercury. This hypothetical planet was even given a name: Vulcan. However, Moore states that Vulcan does not exist.

Planet Ten: A More Plausible Candidate

In contrast to Vulcan, the case for a planet orbiting at the outer rim of the solar system is presented as much stronger. This possibility has become even more likely with the recent understanding that Pluto, the outermost planet, is more akin to a pair of ice balls than an Earth-style planet. While Moore admits he has no definitive proof, he believes 'Planet Ten' is probably real. He cautions, however, that such a planet would be extremely faint, making its discovery largely a matter of luck.

Moore also notes a change in terminology regarding Pluto's position. Since January, Pluto has been closer to the sun than Neptune, a situation that will persist until 1999. He clarifies that due to Pluto's sharply tilted orbit, there is no risk of a head-on collision with Neptune when their paths cross.

Counter-Earth: The Theory and Its Demise

The article then shifts focus to 'Counter-Earth,' a hypothetical planet that was once taken very seriously and still appears in literature occasionally.

The Theory of Counter-Earth

The theory posits that if a planet existed exactly on the opposite side of the sun from Earth, moving in a similar orbit with a period of 365.25 days, it would be perfectly aligned with Earth and the sun. This alignment would render Counter-Earth invisible from Earth, as it would be obscured by the sun's glare. It was once speculated that conditions on Counter-Earth might be similar to those on Earth, potentially allowing for intelligent life. A science-fiction film from about 15 years prior is mentioned, which portrayed a Counter-Earth so identical to our own that an astronaut landing there found his wife and colleagues waiting.

Scientific Rebuttal of Counter-Earth

Moore explains that while it's true a planet directly beyond the sun would be invisible (a state known as 'superior conjunction,' which Mars recently experienced), science offers a clear refutation of the Counter-Earth concept. The primary reason is gravitational perturbation. Planets exert gravitational pulls on each other, causing slight deviations in their orbits. If Earth and Counter-Earth were separated by the entire diameter of their orbit (297.6 million kilometers), their gravitational interactions would differ significantly. This would inevitably cause the straight-line arrangement to break down, leading Counter-Earth to swing out of its arc and become visible. Furthermore, Counter-Earth would exert its own perturbing effects on Venus and other planets, influences that would have been detected long ago.

Modern Evidence Against Counter-Earth

Moore emphasizes that modern evidence provides direct proof against the existence of any massive, unknown body in our region of the solar system. Unmanned spacecraft have successfully maintained contact with Earth even when on the far side of the sun. Their trajectories would have been violently altered by the gravity of any lurking Counter-Earth, but no such deviations have been observed. While small asteroids might exist in orbits similar to Earth's, they would not be significant enough to constitute a planet.

Conclusion

Patrick Moore concludes by expressing his fondness for the Counter-Earth concept as a fascinating piece of ancient lore. He finds the idea of an identical world, populated by beings of equal technological prowess, just a few hundred million kilometers away, to be amusing. However, he laments that scientific understanding makes it impossible for such a planet to exist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article reflects a scientific and rational approach to astronomical speculation. While acknowledging the imaginative appeal of hypothetical celestial bodies like Vulcan and Counter-Earth, Moore consistently grounds his discussion in established scientific principles, particularly orbital mechanics and gravitational theory. The editorial stance, as represented by Moore's writing, is one of empirical evidence and logical deduction, favoring observable facts over speculative fiction, even while appreciating the imaginative qualities of such concepts. The magazine, OMNI, appears to cater to an audience interested in science, technology, and the frontiers of discovery, including speculative but scientifically-informed possibilities.