Descartes's Theory of Vortices

Descartes's theory of vortices solved a series of existing problems for astronomers and philosophers. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep the aristotelian notions of solid, transparent spheres intact. The system consisted of different kinds of matter, or elements, rubbing up against each other. This shifting created the movement of objects in the heavens. And even though he's wrong about these different kind of matter, actually you do have swirling vordices that form stars and planets that go around each other.