John Couch Adams's Asperger syndrome and the British non-discovery of Neptune

Abstract

We discuss the mathematical acumen of John Couch Adams together with cognitive and behavioural characteristics that suggest Asperger syndrome. We also review the historical events involved in the investigation of the unknown planet thought to be affecting the orbital motion of Uranus. Adams produced a vital computation necessary for the discovery of Neptune that was insufficient unless integrated with specialized knowledge of other members of a British 'team' and then presented formally to the scientific community. Reasoning from the premise that complex scientific discoveries often involve cooperative social dynamics, we conclude that Adams was precluded from sharing his contribution in a collaborative manner, in part, because of empathic and social communication deficiencies related to his disorder. However, it was a 'team' failure, not Adams's alone.

The contrivance of Neptune

“…How precise was the prediction of the position of a new planet on the note Adams left, and how it would fare in a comparison with the one of Le Verrier's June 1 paper, is difficult to demonstrate. The reasons for this are discussed extensively by , Sheehan et al (2003;2007) and Kollerstrom (2006a;2006b;2009) 2 . These authors point out that the note claimed to be Adams' prediction of September 1845 might actually be of a much later date.…”

“…The reasons for this are discussed extensively by Rawlins (1992), Sheehan et al (2003;2007) and Kollerstrom (2006a;2006b;2009) 2 . These authors point out that the note claimed to be Adams' prediction of September 1845 might actually be of a much later date.…”