Is the sun moving simple harmonically up and down also?

In summary, the conversation discusses the motion of the sun and the Earth in relation to other celestial bodies. It is mentioned that the Earth's orbit around the sun is not perfectly in a plane, but the center of mass of the Earth-moon system orbits the sun in a plane. There is also mention of the solar system passing through dense areas of asteroids every 3 million years and how this may be related to mass extinctions. However, there is disagreement about the accuracy of this information and the need for further research.
  • #1
nishant
95
0
is the sun moving simple harmonically up and down also?
 
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  • #2
I'm sorry, this doesn't make sense at all.
Are you asking if the sun exhibits a periodic motion?
 
  • #3
What's 'up and down'...?The sun in an almost free space.3D picture.What's "up and down" in 3 dimensions...?

Daniel.
 
  • #4
I interpret the original question asks if the eath's orbit around the sun is in a plane. If you use the center of the Earth as a reference, it is not exactly. However, the center of mass of the earth-moon system orbits the sun in a plane (except for small perturbations due to the other planets).
 
  • #5
isn't it that our galaxy travels in a dense area of asteroids once in 3 million years
 
  • #6
nishant said:
isn't it that our galaxy travels in a dense area of asteroids once in 3 million years
Humm... I think you need to re read your sources. We know little to nothing about that scale of motion, further, because the galaxy passes intergalatic material does not mean the the solar system will ever know about it. Perhaps you want to do some basic research and rephrase your question in a manner which makes sense.
 
  • #7
I think he's reffering to the orbit of the Sun around the gallactic center. If the robit is slightly off the galactic lpane, it has been proposed that the simple harmonic motion taking us from "slightly above" the ecliptic to "slightly below" would cause the Solar System to pass through the thick of the gallactic plane tice per orbit. Some have theorized that these passages increase the likelyhood of nearby gravitational disturbances pulling asteroids out of there orbits. It is then supposed that these asteroids are responsible for the periodicity of mass extinctions.
 

1. Is the sun really moving up and down?

Yes, the sun appears to move up and down in the sky due to the Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun. However, this movement is not simple harmonic motion.

2. What is simple harmonic motion?

Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where an object moves back and forth along a straight line, with its acceleration directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed point.

3. Can the sun's movement be described as simple harmonic motion?

No, the sun's movement is not a perfect example of simple harmonic motion. While it does follow a periodic pattern, its acceleration is not directly proportional to its displacement and there are external forces, such as gravity, that affect its movement.

4. How does the sun's movement affect our daily lives?

The sun's movement impacts our daily lives in various ways, such as determining the length of our days and seasons, providing light and warmth, and influencing plant growth and animal behavior.

5. Why is it important to understand the sun's movement?

Understanding the sun's movement is crucial for fields such as astronomy, navigation, and agriculture. It also helps us better appreciate the complexity of our solar system and the role of the sun in sustaining life on Earth.

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