All Questions
Tagged with astrophysics planet
26
questions
2
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0
answers
218
views
Why does the axial tilt & the rotation speed of Saturn & Jupiter vary so much?
I have seen Jupiter and its 4 largest moons in a telescope, several times. The moons are always aligned in a line. This is fine. Very interesting. But.. in case of Saturn, not only that we can see its ...
- 121
6
votes
1
answer
1k
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What is the reason the Jovian planets are in descending order of size?
Is there any scientific reason for the jovian planets to be in descending order of size or is it purely coincidental? In terms of radii it goes Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
- 367
2
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1
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222
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Property of elliptical orbits
I've studied that the major axis of a planets orbit = ( radius of perihelion + radius of aphelion) . But then how can we calculate the value of the minor axis if we are provided with the values of ...
- 29
6
votes
1
answer
317
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Kepler and the Sun position
When Kepler went to Tycho Brahe, he learned that Tycho Brahe was using the mean position of the sun to note down the position of Mars. Well, Kepler needed to convert these datas of Brahe to do his own ...
- 159
9
votes
1
answer
211
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Period coincidence of Planet Nine with furthest Kuiper belt objects
A lead scientist of the Planet Nine theory said that "The period with which it goes around the sun is a rational multiple of the periods of all the furthest Kuiper Belt objects"
To what degree of ...
- 4,268
2
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1
answer
140
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On orbital mechanics of evaporating planets
A planet orbits around its sun on an elliptic orbit, and loses mass slowly due to evaporation. How will the parameters of the orbital ellipse change as a function of time?
Could we do a generalisation ...
- 141
0
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1
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201
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Is it possible to know if a planet is located in the Habitable Zone knowing it's properties?
Is there an equation that can give me the possibile distance of the planet from his star knowing planet's temperature (or other datas)?
I found this method for calculating the Habitable Zone but it'...
1
vote
1
answer
412
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Spheres in space [duplicate]
I know that gravity will turn a mass into a sphere, which is why planets and stars are that shape. But then we have asteroids and small moons which are not spherical. Such as a couple of Pluto's moons....
- 111
17
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2
answers
1k
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Open problems in astronomy that an amateur (with a PhD in some other field) would have a chance of solving?
What are some open problems in astronomy that an amateur would have a chance of solving? Suppose the amateur has a PhD in some other field, owns a basic telescope, a set of filters, diffraction ...
- 171
0
votes
1
answer
140
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Apocalypse on earth
What would it feel like on Earth if the Earth accelerated due to sudden changes in the solar system like ejection of another planet? Would there be giant tidal waves and other cataclysmic events?
- 117
6
votes
2
answers
636
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Weight of a celestial body
How do astronomers find out the correct weight of a planet even though there isn't any direct means to weigh them? What technique do they use? Just curious!
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