Considering that the orbit of Pluto is highly eccentric, and that at certain times, Pluto is closer to the sun than Neptune then that must mean that the orbital paths of Neptune and Pluto cross.
If that is the case, won't they at some point hit each other?
If their orbits are not on the same plane, isn't it still possible for them to hit each other?
2006-08-25 18:01:43 · 13 answers · asked by Justin 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No they won't. Not only do they orbit on different planes and the "intersections" happen on different planes, but also because Neptune and Pluto are in orbital resonance. For every three orbits of Neptune around the Sun, Pluto completes 2 orbits. Orbital resonance keeps the objects in stable orbits.
The only way Pluto and Neptune will collide is if some external force perturbs Pluto's orbit and sends it into a collision course with Neptune.
2006-08-25 18:52:42 · answer #1 · answered by ksteve 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When viewed from above, it seems likely that Neptune and Pluto do actually "cross paths". This is incorrect, however. Though at some points Pluto is closer to the sun than Neptune, and Pluto's orbit is not in the ecplitic plane, their orbits have no intersection points. Therefore Pluto and Neptune, though they do act on each other's orbit via gravity, will never collide.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-25 18:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by CubicMoo 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
c.No because the two planets have an orbital resonance that prevents them from colliding. There is a 10 degree separation between the orbits in 3 dimensions. Neptune's orbit is tilted at 7.1 degrees to the ecliptic, Pluto's orbit is inclined 17.1 degrees to the ecliptic. The crossover points where the orbits supposedly intersect are produced by projecting both orbits onto a 2 dimensional plane. As long as the orbits of Neptune and Pluto are stable, they will never collide. BTW, the crossover points happened in 1979 and 1999, so it's going to more than 273 years until it happens again.
2016-03-17 00:53:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably not. and if they do, not for millions of years. Pluto's orbit is very tilted and elliptical, while the other planets are mostly on the same plane.
Check out this pic:
http://physics.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/astr121/Notes/SS/ss-rotation.jpg
to help visualize how Pluto orbits on a different plane. (I just got out of an astronomy class hehe) :)
Even if they did hit each other, Neptune's so much larger than Pluto it would just swallow it up. We probably wouldn't even see it. Or it may capture Pluto into orbiting around itself like a moon.
2006-08-25 18:09:44 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ok, if and I stress a big if they somehow meet at the same time chances are Neptune would clam Pluto as a moon because of its very large gravitational force.
2006-08-25 18:10:02 · answer #5 · answered by Shellback 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, but the Andromeda Galaxy WILL eventually collide with the Milky Way. Now that's a scary thought.....
2006-08-28 19:05:55 · answer #6 · answered by Composer 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They may if Pluto is made angry enough by the decision of the IAU.
2006-08-25 18:51:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably not...i don't think any of the orbital paths will collide
2006-08-25 18:40:28 · answer #8 · answered by KingRichard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea, Into Uranus !
2006-08-25 18:07:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
No
2006-08-25 18:12:08 · answer #10 · answered by Gaurav Munjal 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋