Bode's law

[ boh-duh z ]
/ ˈboʊ dəz /

noun Astronomy.

a numerical scheme that gives the approximate distance from the sun of the seven inner planets but fails for Neptune and Pluto (now considered a dwarf planet).
Also called Titius-Bode law.

Origin of Bode's law

1825–35; after Johann E. Bode (1747–1826), German astronomer, though probably first formulated by Johann D. Titius (Tietz) (1729–96)

British Dictionary definitions for bode's law

Bode's law
/ (bəʊdz) /

noun

astronomy an empirical rule relating the distances of the planets from the sun, based on the numerical sequence 0, 3, 6, 12, 24,…. Adding 4 to each number and dividing by 10 gives the sequence 0.4, 0.7, 1, 1.6, 2.8,…, which is a reasonable representation of distances in astronomical units for most planets if the minor planets are counted as a single entity at 2.8

Word Origin for Bode's law

named after Johann Elert Bode (1747–1826), who in 1772 published the law, formulated by Johann Titius in 1766