Re: Does more mass change orbits

Posted by
Bill Gill on Apr 14, 2002 at 21:42
(208.191.79.35)

Re: Does more mass change orbits (Dogrock)

The orbital paths of both the Earth and the Moon would change. We say that the Moon orbits around the Earth. Actually they both orbit around the center of mass of the Earth-Moon system. The center of mass of this system is very slightly off from the center of the Earth, so that the Earth is wobbling just a little as it goes around. If the Moon had twice its current mass the center of mass would be 2 times very slightly off from the center of the Earth, so the wobble would be a bit more pronounced. I don't know how far off it would have to be to produce a noticeable wobble.


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