If the Earth stopped rotating, one side would not always face the Sun; instead, there would be six months of day followed by six months of night. This phenomenon is due to the absence of Coriolis forces and the potential for tidal locking, similar to the Moon's relationship with Earth. The discussion also highlights Venus, which has a retrograde rotation period of 243 days, and its unique orbital dynamics that prevent it from becoming tidally locked. The implications of a non-rotating Earth are explored through analogies, such as a bucket of water swung in orbit, illustrating the complexities of celestial mechanics.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, astrophysicists, educators, and anyone interested in planetary science and the dynamics of celestial bodies.
Vanadium 50 said:Do you have a reason to suspect it's physically impossible? It appears unlikely, but that's not the same thing.
There's also 3753 Cruithne, which is sometimes called "Earth's second moon" It follows a bean shaped path relative to the Earth, but not one that circles the Earth.256bits said:Nobody seems to have mentioned Legrange points earth-sun, particularly 4 and 5 which are stable positions.
No shadow there.
Question is, would that object even be considered a moon of the earth, or of the sun?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrange_point