The shape of our solar system's orbits.

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    Orbits Shape Solar
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the shapes of planetary orbits in our solar system, comparing them to those of extrasolar planets. Participants explore whether the orbits are elliptical or circular, and the implications of eccentricity in these orbits.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the orbits of the planets in our solar system are very nearly circular for 7 out of 8 planets, while others like Mercury and Pluto have more elliptical orbits.
  • It is noted that a circle is a special case of an ellipse, leading to discussions about whether elliptical orbits can be considered "round."
  • A participant presents calculations showing the average eccentricity of the solar system's planets compared to extrasolar planets, suggesting that the solar system's orbits are less eccentric.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the data reflects the actual nature of extrasolar planet orbits or biases from detection methods.
  • Some participants speculate about the implications of having multiple planets with low eccentricities in the solar system and whether this is a unique characteristic.
  • A debate arises regarding the claim that all orbits are spiral, with participants challenging this assertion and discussing the reference frames of orbital paths.
  • There are mentions of gravitational effects and other forces that could influence orbital shapes, but these points remain speculative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of orbits, with some agreeing that the solar system's orbits are mostly circular while others challenge the uniqueness of this characteristic. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of eccentricity and the nature of orbits in general.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the limitations of their calculations and assumptions, particularly regarding the observational biases in detecting extrasolar planets and the influence of various forces on orbital paths.

  • #31
Bzzt. I'm callin' foul. Tom is changing his story.

He was clear - and repeated several times - that he was talking about the movement of the central body. Reread posts 18 and 22.

Now he's claiming he meant orbital regression? Hello?


Anyway:

Even if all post between 18 and 26 magivcally vaqnished and we are forced to grant his new claim, it's kind of silly to talk about "all orbits being a spiral" when there are far, far larger deviations from ellipses, such as the effects from other planets.

If I drew a freehand circularish curve on a piece of paper that had
- an eccentricity of several centimeters
- wandered back and forth from that path by several millimeters,
yet
increased its (average) diameter by only a few angstroms with each pass

would it be sensical to call that a spiral??
 
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  • #32
DaveC426913 said:
Bzzt. I'm callin' foul. Tom is changing his story.

He was clear - and repeated several times - that he was talking about the movement of the central body. Reread posts 18 and 22.

Now he's claiming he meant orbital regression? Hello?


Anyway:

Even if all post between 18 and 26 magivcally vaqnished and we are forced to grant his new claim, it's kind of silly to talk about "all orbits being a spiral" when there are far, far larger deviations from ellipses, such as the effects from other planets.

If I drew a freehand circularish curve on a piece of paper that had
- an eccentricity of several centimeters
- wandered back and forth from that path by several millimeters,
yet
increased its (average) diameter by only a few angstroms with each pass

would it be sensical to call that a spiral??

Oh well I only really read his first post and then the original hostility towards him so I thought I would just jump into aid him lol. Yes it is silly to call it a spiral but it's not really wrong...
 
  • #33
Sorry! said:
... but it's not really wrong...
Sure. In the same way it's not really wrong to call it a square, either. :rolleyes:
 
  • #34
If anyone thinks 2.5 cm per year is trivial than what does that say about Hubble's law on the universe's inflation rate.

We believe that Pope Urban VIII is alive and well and lives on the internet.
 
  • #35
Tom Kull said:
If anyone thinks 2.5 cm per year is trivial
when compared to the millions - and in some cases tens of millions - of kilometers of deviations due to other factors. Don't pretend I didn't make this clear.

Besides, that still isn't what you were claiming originally. Your credibility is a bit shaky, having jumped from one train to another.

There's no shame in being mistaken and being corrected. C'mon, man up. Don't make it a bad thing by being bloody-headed about it.
 
Last edited:
  • #36
The question is answered and the thread is way off topic.

Locked.
 

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