Originally Posted By: Bill
I think what Orac was saying wasn't what you read. I think he meant there is no perpetual motion even in space.


Correct Bill that darn english thing again :-)


Originally Posted By: Bill

Now I will give my take on perpetual motion in space.

Imagine a universe with just 2 perfect masses in it. That is they are point source masses. Assume they are in a circular orbit around their common center of mass. I believe this is one stable solution to the 2 body problem. Under these conditions I believe you would have a system in perpetual motion. They would circle each other for eternity.


Nope not even if you make the two bodies perfect you would have to extend your universe to be a perfect vacuum as well as your two planets would bump into the few molecules floating around imparting them with energy and slowing down be it ever so infintesimal.


Originally Posted By: Bill

I suppose that the universe as a whole might represent a sort of perpetual motion, but that depends on the overall evolution of the universe. That is far beyond anything I am prepared to speculate on. I do figure that that really gets into the realm of speculation.
Bill Gill


Thats the same view as all the smart money in physicist circles :-)

I believe in "Evil, Bad, Ungodly fantasy science and maths", so I am undoubtedly wrong to you.