Final answer:
The 'Harmony of the Spheres' is a theory from Pythagoras suggesting that planets emit musical notes based on mathematical laws, harmonizing in a way that is inaudible to humans. Kepler's laws of planetary motion were influenced by this philosophy, searching for a mathematical harmony in the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Harmony of the Spheres
The theory that each planet emitted a unique musical note as it orbited, based on its velocity and distance from the Earth, and which harmonized with sounds from other planets, is known as the Harmony of the Spheres. This concept was originally associated with Pythagoras, who posited that the cosmos operated on mathematical laws which were intrinsically linked to musical and cosmic harmony. According to this doctrine, the entire movement of planets produced perfect harmony, though it was inaudible to the human ear on Earth.
Pythagorean Philosophy and Kepler's Influence
The Pythagoreans believed in the deep connections between mathematics and natural phenomena, as evidenced by their development of principles like the Pythagorean theorem. Furthermore, Johannes Kepler, influenced by this tradition, sought a mathematical structure to explain the heavens, culminating in his laws of planetary motion which described a harmonious relationship between the planets' orbits and the Sun.
The belief that the mathematical principles underlying musical harmony could explain the cosmic order was not only a trademark of Pythagorean thought but also of Renaissance astronomy. Kepler's search for a harmonious planetary arrangement—or his so-called 'harmony of the spheres'—reflects the enduring impact of Pythagorean ideas on the scientific endeavor to comprehend our universe.