Earth Reaches Sun's Chromosphere: Timing Estimate

In summary: The solar system travels around the galaxy at a speed of 220 kilometers per second! That's 19 million km per day!
  • #1
blarznik
18
0
Roughly how long would it take, ending the time when Earth touches the Sun's Chromosphere layer. (Ignoring interfering with other planets' gravities as it moves toward the Sun, if that situation exists.)
 
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  • #2


If you mean if the Earth was to suddenly stop in its orbit, then then between ~63-66 days, depending upon what point in it orbit it was when it started the fall.
 
  • #3


Janus said:
If you mean if the Earth was to suddenly stop in its orbit, then then between ~63-66 days, depending upon what point in it orbit it was when it started the fall.

Wow that's fast! So with 66 days of motion, using the AU as the distance, Earth's moving at about 1.4 million miles per day.
 
  • #4


blarznik said:
Wow that's fast! So with 66 days of motion, using the AU as the distance, Earth's moving at about 1.4 million miles per day.

That's the average over the entire fall. It would actually move much less during the first day and be moving a lot faster on the last day. At impact, it would be moving at 618 km/sec ( the equivalent of 33 million miles per day)

This shouldn't be too surprising, as the Earth, at its present orbital velocity, travels 1.6 million miles per day.
 
  • #5


Janus said:
That's the average over the entire fall. It would actually move much less during the first day and be moving a lot faster on the last day. At impact, it would be moving at 618 km/sec ( the equivalent of 33 million miles per day)

This shouldn't be too surprising, as the Earth, at its present orbital velocity, travels 1.6 million miles per day.

I guess the acceleration time would be drastic. Also, looking at Earth's orbit, I never realized the present velocity was that fast, but that makes a lot of sense for how far it travels in a year.
 
  • #6


blarznik said:
I guess the acceleration time would be drastic. Also, looking at Earth's orbit, I never realized the present velocity was that fast, but that makes a lot of sense for how far it travels in a year.

The solar system travels around the galaxy at a speed of 220 kilometers per second! That's 19 million km per day!
 

1. What is the chromosphere of the sun?

The chromosphere is the second layer of the sun's atmosphere, located between the photosphere (the visible surface of the sun) and the corona (the outermost layer). It is primarily composed of hot, ionized gas and appears as a thin, reddish layer during a total solar eclipse.

2. How does Earth reach the sun's chromosphere?

Earth does not physically reach the sun's chromosphere. Instead, the Earth's orbit around the sun brings it closer to the chromosphere during specific times of the year. This event is known as a "solar equinox" and occurs twice a year when the sun's axis is perpendicular to the Earth's orbit.

3. What is the estimated timing for Earth to reach the sun's chromosphere?

The estimated timing for Earth to reach the sun's chromosphere is during the spring and fall equinoxes. This typically occurs in late March and late September, respectively. However, the exact timing can vary slightly each year due to the Earth's changing orbit.

4. Why is it important to estimate the timing of Earth reaching the sun's chromosphere?

Estimating the timing of Earth reaching the sun's chromosphere is important for understanding the Earth's position in relation to the sun and its impact on our planet's climate and weather patterns. It also helps scientists track changes in the sun's activity and study the effects of solar flares and other solar events on Earth.

5. How is the timing of Earth reaching the sun's chromosphere estimated?

The timing of Earth reaching the sun's chromosphere is estimated using mathematical calculations based on the Earth's orbit and the sun's position in the sky. This information is then used to determine the date and time of the equinoxes, which mark the Earth's closest approach to the sun's chromosphere.

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