OPEN LETTER

A QUESTION & A CHALLENGE TO THE WORLD'S LEADING EXPERTS IN CELESTIAL MECHANICS AND SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD OF SOLAR SYSTEM DYNAMICS

Past and recent observations of the transits of Venus have shown that when a transit occurs, a second one follows five mean synodic periods later. This celestial mechanical phenomenon is referred to as a 'transit pair'.

In practice, the transit dates predicted in the astronomical almanacs and tables are based on tropical time (equinox), while the mean synodic period between the planets Earth and Venus is derived from their proper and respective 360-degree orbital periods around the Sun.

According to these tables, three transit pairs occur in a period of 251 tropical years or 157 mean synodic periods (e.g. 1761 - 1769, 1874 - 1882 and 2004 - 2012).

The orbit of Venus is tilted by approximately 3.4° relative to the ecliptic (Earth's orbital plane). The observations of transit pairs imply that the position of Venus' orbital node (i.e. the point along the orbit of Venus where it crosses the ecliptic) remains aligned almost exactly between the first and the second transit of each pair.

Since lunisolar precession appears to cause the actual transit dates of Venus to migrate forward through the calendar (seasons) at a rate of approximately 33" per year, the orbital plane of Venus would have to retrograde around a stationary Sun at a rate of roughly 17" per year relative to inertial space for transit pairs to occur as predicted. In other words, in the absence of precession the transit dates are supposed to migrate backward through the seasons.

The orbital planes of the other planets in our solar system do not show a similar motion in the same direction or to a similar extent. Venus has no moon and its orbit is the least eccentric (i.e. nearly circular) of all the planets in our solar system. It may seem like a remarkable coincidence that its rotation and orbit period are synchronized in such a way that Venus always shows the same face toward Earth when the two planets are at their closest approach. However, the orbital node movement of Venus, and hence the occurrence of transit pairs, does indeed suggest a resonance effect. Because it is not possible that a roughly 17" per year retrograde motion of Venus' orbital plane will produce the observed transit pairs without a synchronization to the mean synodic cycle, which exists between Earth and Venus.

The following question therefore, demands a valid scientific explanation by the experts in celestial mechanics and specialists in the field of solar system dynamics:

What causes the presumed retrograde motion of the orbital plane of Venus relative to the position of the Sun and relative to inertial space, regardless of precession; i.e. the apparent progression of the sphere of the fixed stars?

Uwe Homann

July 1, 2004

Peers/Alberta - Canada