Help with the physics of a fictional geocentric solar-system

  • Thread starter Thread starter TopQuark_
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around constructing a fictional geocentric model of a solar system for a creative writing project. Participants explore the implications of a system where a star, moon, and several planets orbit a single inhabited planet, with the governing force described as "dark energy." The conversation touches on theoretical physics, mathematical modeling, and the narrative requirements of the story.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in modeling a geocentric solar system, emphasizing that gravity and Kepler's Laws can be ignored in favor of a "dark energy force."
  • Several participants propose using the mass of celestial bodies similar to those in our solar system, such as the sun, moon, and Earth, for the model.
  • There is a discussion about the necessary speed for the star to complete a revolution in twenty-five hours, with one participant suggesting it would need to move at a significant fraction of the speed of light.
  • Mathematical calculations are presented to estimate the force required to maintain the star's motion, with varying results based on different assumptions about distance and speed.
  • One participant humorously notes the absurdity of the calculations, indicating that the scenario is inherently unrealistic.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the lack of a satisfying scientific explanation, suggesting that the "dark energy" concept complicates the narrative without providing clarity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the fictional nature of the scenario and the use of "dark energy" as a narrative device. However, there is no consensus on the specifics of the model, the mathematical calculations, or the implications of the proposed forces.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the reliance on fictional constructs rather than established physical laws, leading to unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions about the nature of the "dark energy force." The discussion remains speculative and does not adhere to conventional physics.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers and creators interested in world-building for science fiction or fantasy narratives, particularly those exploring unconventional astrophysical concepts.

TopQuark_
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Hello. This might seem like a silly topic, but I could use some help to build a geocentric model of a solar system.

Wait! Hear me out!

I'm doing bit of of creative writing, and have a story idea for a sci-fi in which a system is discovered that has a star, moon, and several planets orbiting one inhabited planet. It is sort of a mystery of how this is possible, but I won't bore you with that. Needless to say, it is all caused "dark energy force" (so essentially magic).

For the purpose of this model, gravity, and therefore Kepler's Laws, can be ignored. The central body can be considered a fixed point reletive to the "satellites".

The main information I actually want is the amount of force that would have to be exherted on the star by the "magic" to keep it in its path (I suppose it's not technically an orbit) in its twenty-five hour period. The star's mass and orbital axes are approximate to those of our solar system.

I have a feeling that the solution is simpler that it seems, but my math skills aren't the strongest, and taking gravity out of the equations is really doing my head in.

Please don't burn me for my heretical thoughts. I'm not a Flat-Earther, I swear! ;)
(Also, I'm new here, so apologies if this is in the wrong subforum)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: AidenFlamel
Physics news on Phys.org
So we can assume the star has the same mass of our sun, the moon has the same mass as our moon and the planet has the same mass as earth? And they are all orbiting the planet, right?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TopQuark_
Dynamics101 said:
So we can assume the star has the same mass of our sun, the moon has the same mass as our moon and the planet has the same mass as earth? And they are all orbiting the planet, right?

For the purpose of this model, yes. Later, I can make some adjustments to the values so I'm not just copying our solar system. Though 'orbit', in this case, is a bit of a misnomer. More like "made to move in a circle", as 'orbit' would imply gravity is the acting force, and would therefore limit things like speed. Now that I think about it, wouldn't the star have to be moving a significant portion of the speed of light to make a revolution in twenty-five hours?
 
TopQuark_ said:
I'm doing bit of of creative writing, and have a story idea for a sci-fi in which a system is discovered that has a star, moon, and several planets orbiting one inhabited planet. It is sort of a mystery of how this is possible, but I won't bore you with that. Needless to say, it is all caused "dark energy force" (so essentially magic).

For the purpose of this model, gravity, and therefore Kepler's Laws, can be ignored. The central body can be considered a fixed point reletive to the "satellites".

The main information I actually want is the amount of force that would have to be exherted on the star by the "magic" to keep it in its path (I suppose it's not technically an orbit) in its twenty-five hour period. The star's mass and orbital axes are approximate to those of our solar system.
since you are ignoring real physical laws and making it all magic ... there are no real numbers that can fit this scenario
continue to use your "magic" and make up numbers as you goDave
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TopQuark_
I think it'd depend on the distance between the star and your planet. If you want the massive sun to revolve around your planet, we can assume that the dark energy force has the ability to do so. Okay since we have ignored keeplers law and all that gravity stuff we can treat it like a ball on a string attached to a stick (I will use the approximate distance from the Earth to the moon).
1. Since we want a full revolution every 25 hours (90,000seconds). Let's use angular velocity; w = change in radius/ change in time
W = 2pi/90,000seconds. --> 6.98x10^-5rad/s
2. When angular velocity is multiplied by radius we can get velocity; W * R = V
6.98x10^-5rad/s * 3.8x10^8m = 2.653x10^4m/s
3. Using the force equation (F = ma) and writing acceleration as v^2/R we get
F = m(v^2/r).
mass of sun = 1.9x10^30kg
F = (1.9x10^30kg)*(2.653x10^4)^2 / (3.8x10^8)
F = 3..519x10^30 Newtons
This much force. LOL.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TopQuark_
Dynamics101 said:
I think it'd depend on the distance between the star and your planet. If you want the massive sun to revolve around your planet, we can assume that the dark energy force has the ability to do so. Okay since we have ignored keeplers law and all that gravity stuff we can treat it like a ball on a string attached to a stick (I will use the approximate distance from the Earth to the moon).
1. Since we want a full revolution every 25 hours (90,000seconds). Let's use angular velocity; w = change in radius/ change in time
W = 2pi/90,000seconds. --> 6.98x10^-5rad/s
2. When angular velocity is multiplied by radius we can get velocity; W * R = V
6.98x10^-5rad/s * 3.8x10^8m = 2.653x10^4m/s
3. Using the force equation (F = ma) and writing acceleration as v^2/R we get
F = m(v^2/r).
mass of sun = 1.9x10^30kg
F = (1.9x10^30kg)*(2.653x10^4)^2 / (3.8x10^8)
F = 3..519x10^30 Newtons
This much force. LOL.

Indeed. It's even sillier if you use the Earth-Sun semi-major axis as the radius.

V = (6.98x10^-5rad/s)(1.5x10^12m)
= 1.05x10^8m/s
≈ 1/3c

F = (1.9x10^30kg)(1.05x10^8m/s)^2/(1.5x10^12m)
= 1.397x10^34N

Sorry, I don't have a ton of experience with angular velocity. Is acceleration defined as 'v^2/R' because this is circular motion, making this centripetal force?

This probably won't even be the story's actual in-canon explanation for this crazy concept. Dark energy has an effect on gravity, so it probably would work by manipulating the bodies' gravity fields. I'd have to seriously mutilate general relativity to offer a legitamate-sounding explanation for this, so I'm not even going to touch it.
 
Yes, centripetal acceleration is defined as that. I think it should work for your story, Dark energy should account for these things. And If I'm reading your story I'd like to have general understanding for the dynamics of your system. Not too much detail, but enough to make me wonder. [emoji5]
 
TopQuark_ said:
Hello. This might seem like a silly topic, but I could use some help to build a geocentric model of a solar system.

Wait! Hear me out!

I'm doing bit of of creative writing, and have a story idea for a sci-fi in which a system is discovered that has a star, moon, and several planets orbiting one inhabited planet. It is sort of a mystery of how this is possible, but I won't bore you with that. Needless to say, it is all caused "dark energy force" (so essentially magic).

Actually I've been going over this same concept for a few weeks if not months now. The thing is, I'm trying to create this extensive epic fantasy world but at the same time, i need to know how everything works in my head... And having a Geo-Centrical planetary system would be great for my world setting... though there are so many things to take into account. To bad we couldn't get to a more satisfying answer than "dark magical force is capable of ejercing x*1030 Newtons and that's why..." Thanks for the thread anyway
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K