Where is Earth's center of mass?

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of the location and radii of an ellipsoid that contains the center of mass of the Earth. It also touches upon the search for the actual location of the Earth's center of mass and the use of a coordinate system. It is suggested to search for "geocenter motion" or "geocenter variations" for more relevant results.
  • #1
moonman239
282
0
As a first-order approximation I can simply calculate the location and radii of an ellipsoid that contains the center of mass, but that's not good enough. Doing a Google search for "center of mass earth" doesn't pull up anything.
 
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  • #2
moonman239 said:
As a first-order approximation I can simply calculate the location and radii of an ellipsoid that contains the center of mass, but that's not good enough. Doing a Google search for "center of mass earth" doesn't pull up anything.
It's unclear what you are looking for. Are you looking for the actual location of the Earth's center of mass, taking into consideration non-uniform distributions of mass density? (As a first approximation, why not say right in the middle! :smile:)
 
  • #3
Why are you looking for this information, the center is a very good approximation...
 
  • #4
Doc Al said:
It's unclear what you are looking for. Are you looking for the actual location of the Earth's center of mass, taking into consideration non-uniform distributions of mass density? (As a first approximation, why not say right in the middle! :smile:)

Yes.
 
  • #5
What coordinate system would you use to define the location of the centre of mass?

I mean, would you say it's X miles from the North pole at sea level, Y miles from 0 lat 0 long?

The coordinate system is the surface of the Earth, which is not a sphere?
 
  • #6
moonman239 said:
Doing a Google search for "center of mass earth" doesn't pull up anything.
That's the wrong search term. The right search term would be "geocenter" were it not for a slew of companies and organizations that erroneously think they are the center. You'll get a lot of irrelevant garbage if you just search for "geocenter".

Try searching for "geocenter motion" or "geocenter variations".
 
Last edited:

1. Where is Earth's center of mass located?

The center of mass of Earth is located at its geometric center, which is approximately 6,371 kilometers (3,959 miles) below the surface at the Earth's core.

2. How is the center of mass of Earth calculated?

The center of mass of Earth is calculated by taking into account the masses and distances of all its components, including the core, mantle, crust, and atmosphere. This calculation results in a point that represents the average position of all the mass in Earth.

3. Does the center of mass of Earth change over time?

Yes, the center of mass of Earth can change over time due to various factors such as tectonic plate movement, changes in landmasses, and shifts in the distribution of mass within the Earth's interior. However, these changes are relatively small and do not significantly affect the overall location of the center of mass.

4. How does the center of mass of Earth affect its orbit around the Sun?

The center of mass of Earth plays a crucial role in its orbit around the Sun. It is the point around which the Earth's mass is evenly distributed, and any changes in its position can affect the Earth's orbit. However, the center of mass remains relatively stable, and the Earth's orbit is primarily influenced by other factors such as gravitational pull from other planets.

5. Can the center of mass of Earth be measured?

Yes, the center of mass of Earth can be measured using various methods, including satellite measurements and gravitational mapping. These measurements help scientists better understand the Earth's structure and dynamics and make accurate predictions about its future changes.

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