Something Beautiful

Facing the World with Beauty

When confronting the world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by its adversities. Like you, we are fully aware of the imperfections and challenges of reality. Yet, we choose to direct our reflections toward beauty. When we speak of the “beautiful,” we do not do so in opposition to “ugliness.” Instead, we speak of beauty as a timeless source of inspiration, a driver of scientific progress, and an agent of transformation.

The idea that “in numbers lies the nature of all things” (ἐν τῷ ἀριθμῷ δέ τε τὰ παντ' ἐπέοικε) is often associated with the Pythagorean school, reflecting the belief that the essence of the universe resides in numbers and mathematical proportions. Likewise, the concept of the “music of the spheres”—attributed to Pythagoras and later revisited by philosophers such as Plato—suggests that planets in motion generate an inaudible harmony resulting from the mathematical relationships between celestial bodies and their orbits. To ancient philosophers, this harmony was intrinsically linked to the perfection and beauty of cosmic order. Even today, the mathematical principles of balance and symmetry play a fundamental role in science, music, architecture, and the fine arts.

In his book A Beautiful Question, Frank Wilczek—winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics—wrote:

“Their [the Pythagorean School’s] worldview was centered on the reverent admiration of numbers and musical harmony, which they saw as reflections of the deep structure of reality. (As the next two thousand years would prove, they were on the right path.)”

Furthermore, the book’s description states:

“Wilczek’s groundbreaking work in quantum physics was inspired by his intuition to seek a deeper order of beauty in nature. [...] This pursuit has been the essence of scientific inquiry since Pythagoras, the ancient Greek who first declared that ‘all things are number,’ through Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, Einstein, and into the depths of 20th-century physics. [...] Yes: the world is a work of art, and its deepest truths are those we already feel, as if they were somehow written into our souls.”

From Kepler to Newton: The Mathematical Beauty of the Universe

Speaking of Isaac Newton—the English physicist, mathematician, and astronomer—he used Johannes Kepler’s laws of planetary motion as the foundation for developing his theory of gravitation.

A German astronomer and mathematician, Kepler (1571–1630) was one of the first scientists to adopt and refine Copernicus’s heliocentric model (1473–1543). He demonstrated that planets follow elliptical orbits around the Sun, in contrast to the circular orbits proposed by Copernicus. Kepler formulated the Three Laws of Planetary Motion, which describe the behavior of planetary orbits with remarkable mathematical precision:

  1. The Law of Elliptical Orbits – Planets move in elliptical orbits, with the Sun at one of the focal points.
  2. The Law of Equal Areas – A planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times as it orbits the Sun.
  3. The Law of Periods – The square of a planet’s orbital period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun.

However, Kepler did not identify the force responsible for these movements.

This crucial step was taken by Newton (1643–1727), who formulated the Law of Universal Gravitation, providing a physical explanation for Kepler’s laws. In essence:

  • Kepler described planetary motion while
  • Newton explained its cause.

By relying on rigorous observations and mathematics to describe the orbits of planets, Kepler laid the foundations of modern astronomy. Newton, in turn, demonstrated that the force that pulls planets toward the Sun is the same force that makes objects fall on Earth: gravity.

Newton formulated a universal physical theory by unifying celestial and terrestrial movements under the same physical laws, something truly revolutionary for his time.

 A Celestial Parade: The Mystery of Planetary Motion

Now that we have talked about the movements of the planets, it remains true that they still move in mysterious ways (paraphrasing the U2 song). Although our concept of beauty is not tied to fashion runways, one could say that, at times, planets also "parade."

A planetary parade is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when multiple planets in the Solar System appear to align visibly in the sky. In reality, the planets do not align in a perfectly straight line; instead, we observe a sequence of visible planets, appearing close to one another and forming a partial alignment or an arrangement along an arc.

This phenomenon is relatively rare because, for a planetary parade to be visible from Earth, several factors must coincide—such as the orbital positions of the planets and their visibility during a particular time of the year. As a result, witnessing planets seemingly aligned across the sky is a remarkable spectacle that captures the attention of both astronomers and sky enthusiasts.

Throughout January, six planets participated in this celestial parade:

  • Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (visible to the naked eye),
  • Uranus and Neptune require a telescope due to their faint brightness and great distance from Earth.

With binoculars or telescopes, observers could see incredible details—such as Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings—making the experience even more fascinating for astronomy enthusiasts.

A Rare and Spectacular Event

Scientists also value planetary alignments, as analyzing the relative positions of planets and their gravitational effects helps to deepen our understanding of planetary motion and the mechanics of our Solar System.

In February, an even rarer event will occur, with seven planets aligning—so keep your eyes on the sky!

Planetary parades offer an extraordinary opportunity for astronomical observation, providing a breathtaking view of the Solar System that reveals the harmony and grandeur of the cosmos. These events invite us to reflect on the vastness of space and to ponder our place within it.

They also remind us to take a break from the routine and contemplate our deep connection to the universe.

A Moment of Cosmic Reflection

Amid the noise and busyness of daily life, moments like these offer a rare sense of stillness.

As we lift our gaze and watch the planets aligned in the night sky, it is impossible not to feel a profound connection—a bond with the ancients who, millennia ago, gazed at the stars in awe; and a shared link with all others under this same vast sky.

This column is dedicated to Pedro Sousa Basto - Son.

May you have a wonderful birthday, and may your happiness always grow.

Between father and son, there exists an unbreakable bond—a deep and eternal love.

That is, without a doubt, the greatest and most beautiful gift a child can receive. 💙✨

Talk to us: pxp.cminho@gmail.com

Column published in Correio do Minho on January 30, 2025.




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