Elegance

Some proofs in the field of mathematics, while they prove to be correct in their deductive capacity, are deemed inelegant by mathematicians because of their asymptotic approach of arriving of at the solution.  Another form of elegance conjures images of a classical ballroom dance, with crisp tuxedos, illustrious dresses, and symphonic music.  An elegant, silent dance has been taking place, unbeknownst to mankind for millennia, in the gravitational field of Saturn.  Two of Saturn’s moons, Janus and Epimetheus orbit as a pair, a sort of binary satellite unit, but still two distinct parts – like a dance.  The pair moves as one, but a pair implies ‘two’, after all.   The two switch proximity to Saturn every so often, just like tango partners switch proximity to the center of the dance floor while still rotating and revolving independently, yet maintaining their own inter-relational proximity.  This dance is majestic and, indeed, grand.  Perhaps Saturn’s rings are its own cosmic ‘proposal’ to the moons, and their reply is to continue dancing.  Some planetary encounters are less than elegant, however.  There are fringe astronomers (though it is sometimes the ‘fringe thinkers’ that become the foundation for conventional thinking in the future) who believe Earth and Mars had a near pass in the past, several millennia ago, accounting for major meteor bombardment of Earth and a ubiquitous fear of the planet Mars trans-culturally in many ancient people groups; Mars is, after all, named after the Roman god of war.  Let’s be clear, I am not saying this happened, or that I believe it happened (sorry if that was tantamount to tautology and diametrically opposed to a previous recent post about expressing opinions definitively), but I am saying that some dances are elegant and others look like a Carthaginian war.