Keplerians

Keplerians refers to individuals or groups who study, follow, or are inspired by the astronomical and scientific work of Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). More specifically, it often denotes those who actively investigate and apply Kepler's laws of planetary motion. These laws describe how planets orbit the Sun, specifically outlining that:

• Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
• A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.
• The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

While initially focused on planetary motion within our solar system, the principles underlying Kepler's laws have broader applications in astrophysics and celestial mechanics. Modern Keplerians might be involved in researching exoplanets, modeling orbital dynamics, or developing software for astronomical calculations. The term can also refer to amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts who are deeply interested in Kepler's contributions and the implications of his work for understanding the cosmos. Furthermore, "Keplerians" may describe devotees of Kepler's philosophical and theological ideas, as his astronomical discoveries were intertwined with his broader worldview.