2006-08-24 13:54:30 · 9 answers · asked by mauirockerjjr 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
One may wonder if it would matter - probably not if you're living on Earth, but if your relative lives out there then - maybe. Will it happen - even though the orbits appear to overlap, the orbits of Neptune and Pluto are not coplanar, that is, if the general representation would show them colliding, one would pass "below" or "above" the other. However, a large comet or other significant body could pass through the outer solar system and perturb the orbit of Pluto (more likely than Neptune) and then they could eventually collide. Charon was captured by Pluto in such a circumstance, so it's not that far-fetched - given a long enough time, of course. Probably the sun would swallow Mars before then.
2006-08-24 14:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In addition to the inclination difference, Pluto and Neptune are in a 2:3 resonance. Pluto goes around twice each time that Neptune goes around 3 times. So Neptune's gravity keeps Pluto in sync. They can't collide over the age of the solar system. Oddly, computer simulations suggest that Mercury could get ejected from the solar system. It's even possible it could hit the Earth. And the culprit isn't Venus. It's Jupiter, which, if you'll recall, doesn't seem to be in the neighborhood. It's just that after the Sun, there's only one gravitational bully - which is Jupiter. Nothing else matters. So, by the IAU definition, we only have one planet. But nothing evil will happen to Mercury after all. Why not? Because we exist. We will not tolerate a one percent chance of extinction over any time scale. And we can move planets. We already have the physics, and it's not difficult. What you do is get an asteroid to do figure 8's between the planet you want to move and Jupiter (which isn't going anywhere, no matter what you do). Grab some orbital energy from Jupiter and give it to whatever you want. Move the Earth/Moon system. Prevent disaster. We have time.
2016-03-17 00:49:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as nothing changes their current orbits, they will never collide. As others above said, their orbits don't intersect in 3 dimentions. Also, for every 3 times Neptune orbits the Sun, Pluto orbits 2 times. As it happens, when Pluto crosses Neptune's orbit, Neptune is always on the other side of the Sun, very far away, so no chance of a collision.
2006-08-24 14:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by kris 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Probably not for a long time. Where the orbit cross, they are not on the same plane, one goes above the other. That said, over a long time, the orbits may shift, and a collision may eventually happen. That could take billion of years.
2006-08-24 14:01:57 · answer #4 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that the planets do not both complete their orbits in the same amount of time, it is possible, although our great, great grandchildren might not even be alive to see it.
2006-08-24 14:02:48 · answer #5 · answered by Crys H. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe in years
2006-08-24 14:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, pluto isnt a planet anymore, so I doubt they will be travelling the same circles......get it? Travelling in the same circles? The circles, like orbits, right?! Get it!!!!!!
2006-08-24 14:00:18 · answer #7 · answered by lucyanddesi 5 · 1⤊ 9⤋
Possible!
2006-08-24 13:56:26 · answer #8 · answered by Wild Bill 2 · 0⤊ 6⤋
Will it really matter if they do?
2006-08-24 13:59:21 · answer #9 · answered by Elizabeth 2 · 0⤊ 7⤋