Bear in mind that the word "east" comes from Latin for "dawn" - so would this mean that east is defined by the direction in which the sun rises? And then, how would this word for other solar systems?
2007-11-09 23:27:00 · 4 answers · asked by rebroad 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Please cite credible sources in any answer given, and if possible please avoid referring to terms such as "north" without an adequate definitions of those terms. Thanks!
2007-11-10 00:12:52 · update #1
By common assumption over thousands of years, the 'top' or North pole of Earth is the view of the planet as it revolves anticlockwise around the sun. The same is assumed for all other solar systems just because.
2007-11-09 23:34:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The official definition for our solar system comes from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) . "North" is that pole of rotation that lies on the north side of the invariable plane of the solar system (which is mostly the plane of Jupiter's orbit). "Eastwards" is then in the same sense as it is on Earth: when you are on the surface looking North, east is on your right-hand side. Whether the planet rotates east to west, or vice-versa, is another topic.
By this definition, Uranus is "tipped" over by about 82 degrees. If it was 90 degrees, there would be some question about which way was North & East on Uranus. Just to complicate things some more, the north magnetic pole is 59 degrees from the spin axis.
Then there is the question of how to define the zero meridian of longitude. The IAU report (second link) has information on this.
In other solar systems, "North" is the direction defined by the right-hand rule for the system's angular momentum vector. That is, wrap your right hand around in the direction of the planet's orbits, then your thumb will point north. East is the direction your figures curl in.
2007-11-10 09:40:12 · answer #2 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By your own definition the east west directions would be parallel to the ecliptic. West would be in the direction heading out of the solar system and east would be towards the sun.
2007-11-11 00:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by TicToc.... 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, neptune is revolving on its axis concentirically. it spins rather lke a giroscope on its side.
As for other worlds and solar sysytems, it would really depend on how the main star started to revolve orgially by gravity.
2007-11-10 07:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋