How do planets move? Are there any surprises in their movement?

Question

Thanks in advance for your input

Answer 1

They move in approximately elliptical orbits around the Sun. Any small differences in the orbits are accounted for by the gravity of the other planets, and even the Milky Way galaxy. There have been some surprises in the past. One was that Uranus didn't seem to be moving exactly as expected. Calculations showed that the difference in its orbit could be due to another large planet yet to be discovered. Someone calculated where the other planet should be and Neptune was found there. But Neptune did not fully account for the error in Uranus' orbit, so they searched for another planet, eventually finding Pluto. But Pluto also did not fully account for the errors in Uranus' orbit, so the search continued until Voyager flew past Neptune and proved that its mass had been estimated incorrectly. Using the correct mass for Neptune, as measured by Voyager, it turns out that Neptune DOES fully explain the errors in Uranus' orbit. There have been no more surprises since then.

Answer 2

Planets move according to Kepler's Laws but are affected by each other. It's how some of the outer planets were found because of their effect causing a wobble or deviation in the orbit of an inner one.

Answer 3

I think Neptune rotates backwards ( not orbits backwards ) compared to all the other planets. And Pluto comes inside Neptune's orbit, so it's not always the OUTERMOST planet all the time. Those are the two most prominent deviancies of all the planets.

- The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 4

Their movement is caused by gravity. Planets are constantly falling towards the sun. But since they have achieved orbits, the fall never ends with a collision.

Answer 5

Normally planets move from West to east. But when we overtake them,we feel that they are going in the reverse direction. This prominently visible in case of mars. From 15th Nov2007 to 30th jan, for about 11 weeks mars move in retrograde direction among stars
chandramohanP.R