Does the Earth circle the sun?
Sounds like a trick question, but it isn't. Think about it. If you know, spit it out.
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Does the Earth circle the sun?
Sounds like a trick question, but it isn't. Think about it. If you know, spit it out.
No. It orbits, and it's not "circular", unlike some forms of "logic".
:neener:
Does it orbit in a circle?Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
No, they both circle a common point relative to all the gravitational forces acting upon them.
This is how we find planets in other systems.
And, it's actually a spiral elliptical shape if you don't use an, erm... Heliocentric point of view.
That's a special word, heliocentric.
I was trying to stay in that 8th grade reading zone we all aspire too.
You kinda ruined it there, Dave :lol:
You might really wish to ask the right question, Paul.
Are you asking why it's going to take another 105 years to see the transit of Venus again?
Clue - the transit prompted the thought... then it came to me... but nothing to do with the transit. Read your PMQuote:
Originally Posted by ki4itv
Well, if you wanna get esoteric, I read something a long time ago that it's actually chaotic... something about too many masses affecting the system at the same time. Which makes sense to me. I dig astronomy and astrophysics from an amateur "fanboi" status.
I sense the game is afoot, however. It may be a trick question.
http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/...127-143341.jpg
Seems the only way this "lib" can impress Paul is with a long boring dissertation about obscure
technical skills like typefaces and font management. I should have flown away and avoided it.
http://www.bigtimeattic.com/blog/upl..._working_2.jpg
I accept defeat, rolled over and pissed myself.
http://plus4chan.org/b/co/src/133825303194.jpg
I think Corey gave up on this one...
I'm not bothering Paul...Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
But, if you like (Astrophysics isn't my strong suit):
The Earth, as all other bodies of the solar system (Sun included), orbit (Elliptical, generally), around the center of gravity of the solar system (Known as the Barycenter), which is a point about 800,000 Km from the Sun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KC2UGV
Simple question, Corey, and it isn't really a trick question, but does the earth have a circular or elliptical circular orbit?
It's an eccentric circle, with a varying eccentricity between 0.005 (Mildly eccentric) and 0.058 (Highly eccentric).Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
I know Paul, Natural Cycles (TM).
The Google-fu is strong on this one. :lol:
Well, I knew it's eccentricity varied, I googled the specifics :) I got it from a Gub'Mint website (NASA), so who knows if it's true and all, amirite?Quote:
Originally Posted by kf0rt
Are you sure? Care to try again?Quote:
Originally Posted by KC2UGV
Anyone else think they have the answer to this science riddle, PM me, and I'll let you know how close you are.
It's an eccentric circle, with a varying eccentricity, orbiting the barycenter. This is a pretty well known fact, but like I said, NASA might be wrong. I mean, they only got the Mars rovers to Mars, which doesn't need to take into account gravity sling-shotting, with variable orbits of bodies or anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
What if I say it isn't an eccentric circle...Quote:
Originally Posted by KC2UGV
Don't feel bad that you don't know the solution to this science riddle, but once you know what it is, it will be very obvious.
My sunday school teacher said the earth is flat. Gawd said it, I believe it, that settles it.
Ok, shoot. I'd love to hear how it's not an eccentric circle...Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
Most of us have answered this question correctly in various ways.
It's the question itself that makes the desired answer elusive.
Yes! But it is an interesting (the answer).Quote:
Originally Posted by ki4itv
Its in your PM...Quote:
Originally Posted by KC2UGV
Google Sez!!! (In honor of Richard Dawson)
The shape of Earth's orbit can be nearly circular to slightly elongate and back again. The time it takes to go through a complete cycle from circular to elongate and back to circular is about 100,000 years.
Can't be a circle or ellipse.... won't work.Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4AMI
Oh Crap, I think I just stepped in to the prelude to another Global Warming thread :wall:
Nothing to do with global warming. Think of it as a scientific riddle.Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4AMI
Are you referring to the fact the sun and earth actually rotate around each other at a Earth/Sun center of mass?Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
He's actually thinking bigger.
Bigger as in 3 Dimensional? THe Earth's orbit kind of wobbles? I give up. Its completely clouded over here, so I gotta live another 100 and some years to see Venus pass in front of the sun...groanQuote:
Originally Posted by ki4itv
The secret word is heliocentric. Ahhhhhhhh!
http://www.toledoblade.com/image/200...y-mornings.jpg
You can view it here, Mike.
Cool site.
Thanks. You came up with that website pretty fast. Couldn't stand to see me live another 100, huh? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ki4itv
I thought as part of his parole, Pee Wee was not allowed to be caught with his hands down there again?
That site is in one of my "home tabs". :agree:
As far as the brain teaser goes... I'm a CNC software guy of many years.
Think "tool path". :lol:
Tool path.
Is that like a new name for "Pearl Necklace"?:lol:
Could be, in certain... ahem... applications.
NSFW
Well, I know it's technically complicated. Even though The Moon (Luna) orbits the Earth, the gravitational mass of Luna affects the position of Earth.Quote:
Originally Posted by N1LAF
So it's not, strictly speaking, the Earth itself that is in an eccentric eliptical orbit, but the Earth/Moon tandem. The center of which is slightly off the center of the Earth itself.
But I'm no astrophysiscist... geez, I can't even spell that word right... either, so describing this accurately with the correct technical details is a little tough.
:lol:
Climb out of the (local gravity) well of perception, and see! :lol: