The shape of our solar system's orbits.

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter PrincePhoenix
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Orbits Shape Solar
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The orbits of the eight major planets in our solar system are predominantly elliptical, with an average eccentricity of approximately 0.0606. This contrasts with the average eccentricity of known extrasolar planets, which is around 0.2181, indicating that our solar system's orbits are less eccentric. While some discussions suggest that our solar system is unique due to its relatively round orbits, data analysis shows that about 30% of observed exoplanets exhibit similar eccentricities. The resonance between Jupiter and Saturn is noted as a factor that maintains the stability of these orbits.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics
  • Familiarity with the concept of eccentricity in orbits
  • Knowledge of the solar system's planetary structure
  • Basic grasp of observational astronomy techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "orbital eccentricity and its implications" to understand how it affects planetary motion.
  • Explore "resonance in planetary systems" to learn how gravitational interactions stabilize orbits.
  • Investigate "extrasolar planet detection methods" to comprehend biases in observed eccentricities.
  • Study "the anthropic principle in astronomy" to analyze why certain orbital characteristics may be observed.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of planetary science will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the dynamics of solar and extrasolar planetary systems.

  • #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??
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #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.
 

Similar threads

High School Does Time Pass at Different Rates on Other Planets?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
High School Planetary Orbits - Elliptical or Wavelike?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School How Does a Massive Planet's Orbit Around the Sun Appear?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad New Developments In The Search For Planet X
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
High School Terminology for motion in the solar system, ecliptic maybe?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Stargazing Planetary orbits -- Why do planets orbit at same “level”?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Astronomy in a Simple Solar System
  • · Replies 122 ·
5
Replies
122
Views
9K
High School Question about the solar system and gravitational forces
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad Evidence for existence of a 9th Planet in the solar system
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
High School Has Earth Lost Its Status as a Planet?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K