Since the Sun is losing mass, can a planet's orbit change be measured?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of the Sun's mass loss, approximately 4 million tons per second due to hydrogen fusion, on the orbits of planets within the solar system. It concludes that while the Sun's mass loss theoretically could increase Earth's orbit by about 7,000 miles over 4.5 billion years, this effect is negligible compared to the current distance of approximately 93 million miles. Additionally, the Sun's mass gain from interstellar debris is minimal and does not significantly counterbalance the mass lost through thermonuclear processes. Tidal drag from the Sun also contributes to orbit changes, but its impact is similarly minor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar physics and thermonuclear processes
  • Knowledge of gravitational dynamics and orbital mechanics
  • Familiarity with mass-energy equivalence principles
  • Basic concepts of tidal forces and their effects on celestial bodies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of mass-energy equivalence in astrophysics
  • Study the effects of tidal forces on planetary orbits
  • Explore the processes of hydrogen fusion in stars, particularly in the Sun
  • Investigate the impact of interstellar debris on stellar mass and gravitational dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of celestial mechanics who are interested in the dynamics of planetary orbits and the effects of stellar mass loss.

BarnRat
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Since the Sun is changing 4M tons of matter into energy every second and that energy eventually makes its way to the surface and is emitted as an outbound sphere of EM radiation, then the planets' orbits would change over time due to the less massive Sun at the solar system's core. It would seem that there would be a slow outward spiral of each planet. But is this not perceptible by our instruments? Are other factors countering this effect? Does the Sun gain enough mass from interstellar debris that its gravity sucks into make up for the difference in matter-energy change due to the thermonuclear processes at its heart?
 
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Solar mass loss due to hydrogen fusion amounts to about an Earth mass over the past 4.5 billion years. Theoretically, this would cause an increase in Earth orbit of about 7000 miles - as compared to the ~93 million miles we currently enjoy. The effect is obviously insignificant. The sun accretes only a tiny fraction of mass compared to fusion losses so that effect can be essentially ignored. Earth orbit is also affected by tidal drag from the sun. That effect is also relatively miniscule.
 
Thank you for the response.
 

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