Halley's Wind: Reappraising a Centuries Old Theory for the Trade Winds

TL;DR

This paper reevaluates Edmond Halley's 1686 explanation of trade winds, revealing that his incorrect account was actually consistent with the geocentric worldview and highlighting the importance of climate thermal inertia.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Halley's atmospheric theory was fundamentally correct within the context of the geocentric model, emphasizing the role of thermal inertia in atmospheric circulation.

Findings

Halley's explanation aligns with geocentric cosmology

Thermal inertia is key to understanding trade winds

Reassessment of historical atmospheric theories

Abstract

The astronomical work of Edmond Halley (1656-1742) during the latter half of the Copernican Revolution contributed substantially to the scientific proof and widespread acceptance of heliocentrism. Perhaps the most well-known example is his prediction of the return of the comet named in his honor. Halley is also known for offering an incorrect account of Earth's atmospheric general circulation in 1686, specifically the cause of the easterly trade winds in the tropics. In light of updated data and models, the notion of the 'wrongness' of Halley's proposed explanation is reconsidered when cast within the milieu of the prevailing cosmological model. The key ingredient to Halley's mechanism, underappreciated at the time by Halley and his contemporaries, is the thermal inertia of the climate system. It has been suggested by some authors that Halley's ideas on atmospheric circulation were the first to "go beyond the Ptolemaic view of climate." Ironically, Halley's explanation was essentially correct, but only in a Ptolemaic (geocentric) universe.