The Orbit of the Earth?

Question

Does the orbit of the Earth remain at a constant distance from the Sun, or is it changing. I was just reading another answer to a question that said that the Earth is gaining mass from collecting space debris.

Well if that is true, and we look at the equation for gravitation then it seems as though the radius of the orbit would be changing. Probably a very small amount though.

Fg=G * M1M2/R^2

To clarify I mean is it changing year after year?

I know it changes throughout the year.....perihelion, aphelion etc.

Answer 1

Assuming that earth is picking up space debris - because there is stuff flying around space that we run into - wouldn't the sun pick up alot more space debris because it is in the same neck of the woods (astronomically speaking) and has a much greater size and mass???

And isn't the sun continually losing a mass equivalent of the energy it is generating - e=mc^2 - where e is the energy of the radiant energy being generated - and m is the mass it is losing???

So where does this leave us???

Certainly something is changing - and the orbit will change accordingly - but which effect is greatest? - are any of them significant? - which will win out in the end? - will any of us live to see the results?

I would be surprised to see a definitive answer in this forum.

Good question, though.

Answer 2

Hi, I actually do think the orbit of the earth changes. I think the Earth constantly moves further away from the sun as a consequense of the swinging force (Dutch: Middelpuntsvliedendekracht, don't know english word) of earths orbit around the sun. That explains why there could have been water on Mars a long time ago. Mars probably was an earth-like planet millions of years ago and gradually took distance from the sun. The planet cooled down and any life probably got eradicated and the water freezed

Answer 3

Your assumption is correct in that the orbit would change ever so slightly based on the increase of the earths mass, but you have to understand that the amount of mass that the earth gains as a result of space debris is so very small it the effects on the orbit would hardly be measurable for millions of years. Even then we might be talking on the order of maybe centimeters per million years.

Answer 4

The amount of mass the Earth picks from meteorites would have a negligible effect on its orbit. The Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, we are closer to the sun during the winter months in the northern hemisphere.

Answer 5

The earth's orbit is elliptical (egg Shaped) so the earth moves towards and away form the sun as it moves around its orbit. Curiously enough we are furthest away from the sun in the northern hemisphere in Summer.

As stated in other posts it will take millions of years before the earth gains enough mass to affect gravity in any sense that could really noticeable.

Something else that could affect our orbit, would be the moon as it revolves around us, it is also gaining mass, and thus its affect on our orbit could also shift us even the littlest bit.

Answer 6

Hi. The mass may increase a bit (or decrease a bit if escaping hydrogen and helium are considered). I do not think there is any significant change to the orbit. A BB and a bowling ball both will orbit Earth at a speed determined by their altitude.

Answer 7

When you compare the Earth's mass to the sun - it's extremely small. And, while it probably *does* affect the orbit slightly (to a degree that's probably not measurable), remember, when you're dealing with a primary millions of times more massive than the orbiting body, M2 doesn't really amount to a hill of beans...