How Does Einstein's Curvature of Space Affect Celestial Orbits?

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SUMMARY

Einstein's theory of general relativity explains that the curvature of spacetime, created by massive celestial bodies, dictates the orbital paths of other bodies within that curved region. The Earth, for instance, follows a natural trajectory around the Sun without any forces acting upon it, as it is in free-fall. The gravitational influence of the Earth on itself does not alter its orbital path, as the effects are uniform in all directions. This understanding clarifies why the Earth's own gravity does not impede its orbital velocity or angular momentum.

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  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of general relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of spacetime curvature
  • Basic knowledge of celestial mechanics
  • Awareness of gravitational forces and free-fall dynamics
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nnkl
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Einstein's theory states that curvature of space (created by a celestial body around itself) determines the orbital path of other celestial bodies around it within that curved space by a constant lateral force acting towards the centre upon that revolving body. Then why is that a similar force does not impede the revolving body along its orbit by its own warping of space in front of it which is supposed to impede it's orbital velocity thereby decaying it's angular momentum over time?
 
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nnkl said:
Einstein's theory states that curvature of space (created by a celestial body around itself) determines the orbital path of other celestial bodies around it within that curved space by a constant lateral force acting towards the centre upon that revolving body. Then why is that a similar force does not impede the revolving body along its orbit by its own warping of space in front of it which is supposed to impede it's orbital velocity thereby decaying it's angular momentum over time?

It's actually the curvature of spacetime, rather than space. And, there are no forces involved. The Earth is following a natural path through the spacetime around the Sun.

As far as the Earth is concerned it is in free-fall around the Sun. Its own gravity has no effect on this path. A ball that is thrown up in any direction is equally pulled back to Earth. But, the Earth doesn't pull itself back anywhere. The effect the Earth has on itself is equal in every direction.
 
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PeroK said:
But, the Earth doesn't pull itself back anywhere.
True, only when the ratio of the masses is small.
 

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