Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: neilep on 14/11/2023 13:11:56
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Hi, I'm Sheepy how are ewe ?
In about 500 million-1 billion years(please correct if inaccurate) the Sun will start to expand , by then though, would not the Sun have lost enough mass so that all the Planets would have migrated further out ?
I dunno !.....I asked my cousin but she just ate her baby food and did a poo. I considered that answer but am not entirely convinced .
Are All The Planets Moving Away From The Sun Due To Sun Losing Mass ?
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Are All The Planets Moving Away From The Sun Due To Sun Losing Mass ?
There are four factors that make planets change their orbital distance, and yes, the sun losing mass is one of them,
1) Tidal effects push the moon away, but they also make the Earth recede from the sun, at a rate of over 10 cm/year
2) The one you mention: About 2 cm/yr recession is due to the sun losing mass.
3) Friction: The Earth loses orbital energy due to friction (collisions) with meteors and such
4) Gravitational waves: The Earth/sun system pumps about 200 watts of energy away in the form of gravitational waves.
In the future, it seems likely that Earth will get swallowed by the sun when it grows. The 3rd line, friction, will win in the end. For planets from Mars on out, the 4th line will win in the end, but all four lines rely on the consumption of some limited energy source.
The solar mass thing effects the orbits of all planets in proportion to their distance. The tide thing in proportion to their rotation rate over their distance. The tidal thing decreases as the planetary spin slows down, so it is temporary since its energy source is limited.
The friction thing is limited by the amount of free matter flying around between the planets. The planets slowly clean up the solar system.
The gravitational wave thing continues unabated and will eventually be the winner. Jupiter will eventually collide with the sun due to it getting closer through the continuous radiation of energy, similar to how black holes eventually merge.
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In about 500 million-1 billion years (please correct if inaccurate)
The estimate from Wikipedia is that the Sun will turn into a Red Giant in about 5 billion years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_giant#The_Sun_as_a_red_giant
Either way, I will be gone by then...
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3) Friction: The Earth loses orbital energy due to friction (collisions) with meteors and such
What sort of effect does the friction of the solar wind have, we've all seen the northern lights caused by particles ejected by the sun.
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What sort of effect does the friction of the solar wind have
I would think not very much since for the most part the force imparted is perpendicular to Earth's orbital motion. The wind comes out and the magnetic field deflects it fairly equally to either side.
Yes it directs it but even an elementary understanding this deflection has a net force imput. Simplicity means that the sun is blowing hot air at earth.
The magnetic attraction is something that could have an effect, though this is generated sun side in line with the loss of mass.