Music of the Spheres

The Music of the Spheres, attributed to Johannes Kepler, is said to represent the universal celestial harmony that exists in the movement of the planets. What Kepler found was that various ratios used in defining planetary motion mimicked the common interval relationships used in music.

Kepler's laws state that planets move in elliptical orbits at varying speeds, faster when at the perihelion and slower at the aphelion. When the angular velocity of Saturn was measured for instance, Saturn moved 106" per day at the aphelion and 135" per day at the perihelion. When Kepler computed the ratio 135 / 106, he found it to be within two seconds of a major third musical interval of four:five. Other comparisons yielded other astonishing results. For example, the ratio between Jupiter's maximum, and Mars' minimum speed corresponded closely to a minor third, and the interval between the Earth and Venus to a minor sixth. These relationships have continued to exist for planets that were discovered after Kepler's death. The ratios from Uranus, Neptune and Pluto also correspond with musical intervals.

"The heavenly motions... are nothing but a continuous song for several voices, perceived not by the ear but by the intellect, a figured music which sets landmarks in the immeasurable flow of time." - John Banville

"Henceforth it is no longer a harmony made for the benefit of our planet, but the song which the cosmos sings to its lord and centre, the Solar Logos." - Joscelyn Godwin

Many have asked, "Is this correlation simply coincidence?" Although we don't have an answer, it would seem that it is too close for coincidence. Astronomer Fred Hoyle believe that the correspondence between Kepler's findings and the actual musical ratios is "frighteningly good."

The Music of the Spheres is more than a beautiful coincidence. It seems to be the life giving solar system singing back to us with amazing musical harmony!

"God himself does not conform to it... and whether He does not wish to speak to human beings therewith in a language or method of communication that they understand." - Johannes Kepler