Largest Moon With A Concave Orbit

In summary, Asimov discussed the motion of Earth's Moon in relation to the Sun and stated that it is not concave. However, the largest moon in the Solar system, Ganymede, does have a "looped" path around the Sun. Charon, the moon of Pluto, also has a similar path. It is unclear if Pluto itself has a concave path around the Sun.
  • #1
1977ub
530
22
TL;DR Summary
Asimov pointed out that Earth's Moon is nowhere concave (looped) in its motion with regard to the Sun.
Asimov pointed out that Earth's Moon is nowhere concave (looped) in its motion with regard to the Sun.
What about Pluto and Charon - are both concave w.r.t. the Sun at certain times? Moreover, what is the largest body in the solar system which is sometimes concave w.r.t. The Sun? Thank you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_of_the_Moon#Path_of_Earth_and_Moon_around_Sun
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
The largest moon in the Solar system is Ganymede, and it has a "looped" heliocentric path.
Charon also has such a path.
 
  • #3
Thank you - I was also wondering of Pluto itself has such a path.
 

What is the largest moon with a concave orbit?

The largest moon with a concave orbit is Saturn's moon, Titan. It has a diameter of 5,150 kilometers, making it the second largest moon in our solar system.

What is a concave orbit?

A concave orbit is an elliptical orbit that is curved inward, rather than being a perfect circle or an elliptical orbit that is curved outward. This means that the moon's distance from its planet varies as it orbits.

What causes a moon to have a concave orbit?

A moon can have a concave orbit due to gravitational interactions with other objects in its vicinity, such as other moons or planets. These interactions can cause the moon's orbit to become distorted and take on a concave shape.

How does a concave orbit affect a moon's movement?

A concave orbit can affect a moon's movement by causing it to speed up and slow down as it moves closer to and further away from its planet. This can also lead to tidal forces, which can cause the moon's surface to bulge and create geological features.

Are there other moons with concave orbits?

Yes, there are other moons with concave orbits in our solar system. Some examples include Neptune's moon, Triton, and Jupiter's moon, Io. These moons also experience similar effects on their movement and geological features due to their concave orbits.

Similar threads

B Is the barycentre of the Pluto - Charon system also the L1 point?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
3
Views
414
I How Big of an Object Orbiting Closer to the Sun Than Earth Could Be Overlooked?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
17
Views
2K
B Has Earth Lost Its Status as a Planet?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
24
Views
1K
I Is the eccentricity of the lunar orbit constant?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
B The Sun's Influence on the Moon's Orbit: Is it Negligible?
    • Classical Physics
Replies
4
Views
742
I Infrared energy flux from the Moon
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
7
Views
2K
Contributions to Earth's orbit
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
Two moons in tidal lock orbit: phases, tides, axial tilt?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
10
Views
3K
I Could life on Earth survive the far future?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
16
Views
2K
B Can the moon orbit be used as perpetual motion?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top