If the fact that the Lord created billions of stars is not enough, it’s even more astounding to me that comets, planets and celestial objects all move at incredible speeds yet their orbits are very precise. Nothing moves beyond its bounds and all planets have a unique, but highly predictible, motion around the Sun.
Orbital mechanics is an amazing study. It reminds me how intricately God has designed the universe and how small we are compared to Him. As part of a recent math project, Avery created this felt board as a demonstration (see photo here). It briefly explains the 3 Laws of Planetary Motion which good ol’ Johannes Kepler discovered through his studies in the early 1600’s.
As Avery did her research, I learned that Kepler held deep convictions that God created the universe according to an intelligible plan.
Check out this NASA video which draws out the fact that Kepler made these revolutionary discoveries simply by studying mathematical charts of observed locations of the planets. He basically used no telescope!
The foundations of Newtonian physics came largely from Kepler’s formulated equations. Even if you’re not a science buff, you’ll find this fascinating:
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. – Psalm 19:1