Vulcan (hypothetical planet) facts for kids
Vulcan was a theoretical planet that scientists once believed existed. In the 1800s, people thought this planet orbited very close to the Sun. They believed its gravitational pull could explain strange movements in the orbit of Mercury.
Scientists noticed that Mercury's path around the Sun wasn't exactly as predicted by Newton's laws of motion. These laws were the main way scientists understood how planets moved. Because of this, some thought there must be an unseen planet, Vulcan, pulling on Mercury. This idea was similar to how a new planet, Neptune, was found. Neptune was discovered because it was pulling on the orbit of Uranus.
The Search for Vulcan
Many people looked for Vulcan, but no one ever found it. Scientists used telescopes to scan the sky near the Sun. They hoped to spot the new planet. Despite their efforts, Vulcan remained hidden.
Why Vulcan Was Disproved
Because Vulcan was never found, some scientists started to question Newton's theories. This led to new ideas about how gravity works. Albert Einstein developed new theories called Special Relativity and General Relativity.
Einstein's new theory of gravity explained why Mercury's orbit moved in a slightly different way. It showed that no extra planet like Vulcan was needed. This proved that the idea of Vulcan was wrong. It also showed that Einstein's new understanding of gravity was more accurate.
See also
In Spanish: Vulcano (planeta hipotético) para niños
