Do planets "wave" in their orbits?

Kev2013

Hi,

I was wondering if a planet moves up and down as they orbit the Sun due to the differing inclinations of the other planets? In other words do the planets move in a wave like motion in their orbits or is it smooth?

Thanks in advance.

mfb

If you consider their height above some (arbitrary!) plane, it roughly follows a sine curve, with one oscillation per orbit.

*ImaLooser*

Quote by Kev2013

Hi,

I was wondering if a planet moves up and down as they orbit the Sun due to the differing inclinations of the other planets? In other words do the planets move in a wave like motion in their orbits or is it smooth?

Thanks in advance.

Even the Sun doesn't move in a straight line. Everything revolves around the center of mass, which is slightly outside of the Sun. The main influence other than the Sun is Jupiter, then Saturn.

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Kev2013	Do planets "wave" in their orbits? Tweet Hi, I was wondering if a planet moves up and down as they orbit the Sun due to the differing inclinations of the other planets? In other words do the planets move in a wave like motion in their orbits or is it smooth? Thanks in advance.

mfb Mentor	If you consider their height above some (arbitrary!) plane, it roughly follows a sine curve, with one oscillation per orbit.