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binbots
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Can planets escape there orbit? If so does that mean there are planets in deep space?
binbots said:Do we have any idea how many planets could actually be out there?
russ_watters said:Well, we just became aware that there are likely thousands of planet sized objects in wide orbits around the sun. There could be thousands more planet sized objects ejected from orbit.
We can measure the mass of the galaxy by the orbital speed of the objects in it. Not easy because they are so big, but doable for many.
Well, you're highlighted the main the logical inconsistency in the new definitions. "Planet sized" and "dwarf planet sized" are the same size. The size requirement is that they be massive enough to be able to pull themself into a spheroid. The only difference between the two definitions is that a "planet" has swept its orbit of debris. The way I understand it, what makes Pluto a non-planet, then, is that it it has an orbit eccentric enough to cross with Neptune's and thus hasn't cleared its orbit of debris.Drakkith said:Planet sized, or dwarf planet sized, or what? Just want to make sure I'm not missing some newly discovered planets around the sun lol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_planetIt is suspected that at least another 40 known objects in the Solar System are dwarf planets, and estimates are that up to 200 dwarf planets may be found when the entire region known as the Kuiper belt is explored, and that the number might be as high as 2,000 when objects scattered outside the Kuiper belt are considered.
russ_watters said:The way I understand it, what makes Pluto a non-planet, then, is that it it has an orbit eccentric enough to cross with Neptune's and thus hasn't cleared its orbit of debris.
russ_watters said:Dunno - maybe I'm wrong and there is more debris.
A celestial body that is (a) in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.
Clearing the neighbourhood of its orbit" is a criterion for a celestial body to be considered a planet in the Solar System. This was one of the three criteria adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in its 2006 definition of planet.[1]
In the end stages of planet formation, a planet will have "cleared the neighbourhood" of its own orbital zone, meaning it has become gravitationally dominant, and there are no other bodies of comparable size other than its own satellites or those otherwise under its gravitational influence.
I never understood why they made a change in the definitions when their definitions were inadequate the moment they were uttered. They haven't gained any ground except causing the rewrite of HS textbooks.
Yes, not only that but there was a dicussion of such planets possibly being habitable Europa-like worlds due to internal heat: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=470790binbots said:Can planets escape there orbit? If so does that mean there are planets in deep space?
The term "escape orbit" refers to the ability of a planet to break free from the gravitational pull of its parent star or other celestial body and travel into interstellar space. This typically occurs when a planet reaches a high enough velocity or is pulled away by another object's gravity.
No, not all planets have the ability to escape orbit. Smaller, less massive planets with weaker gravitational fields are more likely to be pulled into orbit around a larger body and remain there. Gas giants, such as Jupiter, have a higher chance of escaping orbit due to their stronger gravitational pull.
Several factors can affect a planet's ability to escape orbit, including its mass, speed, and distance from the parent star. The more massive and fast-moving a planet is, the more likely it is to escape orbit. Additionally, a planet's proximity to other objects, such as moons or neighboring planets, can also impact its orbit.
Yes, a planet can escape orbit on its own, but it is a rare occurrence. The most common way for a planet to escape orbit is through the influence of another object's gravitational pull, such as a passing star or a close encounter with another planet. However, some planets with high enough speeds and distances from their parent stars can also escape orbit without outside influence.
After a planet escapes orbit, it will continue to travel through space at a constant speed and direction. Depending on its velocity and the location of other objects in its path, it may encounter other celestial bodies, form new orbits, or even be ejected from a galaxy entirely. The fate of a planet after escaping orbit is highly unpredictable and can vary greatly depending on its specific circumstances.