WikiVisually
The entire wiki reimagined as a visual magazine with video discovery · Watch your interests come alive
WikiVisually
The entire wiki reimagined as a visual magazine with video discovery · Watch your interests come alive
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Orbit of the Moon
Videos
The orbit of the Moon is, while stable and known, highly complex, and as such still studied by lunar theory. Most models describe the Moon's orbit geocentrically since the Moon is mainly bound to Eart
Orbital dynamics of the Moon, with exaggerated paths and sizes, particularly illustrating that the Moon's orbit is on average slightly more outbound t
Orbital dynamics of the Moon, with exaggerated paths and sizes, particularly illustrating that the Moon's orbit is on average slightly more outbound than inbound around the Sun, perturbed by Earth.
The local curvature of the Moon’s trajectory (a), since being pulled towards the Sun, and not (b) away from the Sun by Earth, or (c) equal to zero, oc
The local curvature of the Moon’s trajectory (a), since being pulled towards the Sun, and not (b) away from the Sun by Earth, or (c) equal to zero, occurring when the gravitational pulls of the Sun and Earth are the same magnitude.
Lunar orbit and path area, with nodes
Lunar orbit and path area, with nodes
Full Moon 2010
Full Moon 2010
Double planet
Videos
In astronomy, a double planet is a binary satellite system where both objects are planets, or planetary-mass objects, and whose barycenter is external to both planetary bodies.
Orbit of the Moon
…adding that its mass would be enough to clear its orbit around the Sun if it were on its own. This would imply that the Earth-Moon system is a double planet, which is conflicting with the defintion of what qualifies as a planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) standards organization. The IAU…
Visual comparison of the sizes of Earth and the Moon (above right) and Pluto–Charon (below right)
Visual comparison of the sizes of Earth and the Moon (above right) and Pluto–Charon (below right)
The Pluto–Charon system is closer to binary than the Earth–Moon system (distance not to scale).
The Pluto–Charon system is closer to binary than the Earth–Moon system (distance not to scale).
The Earth–Moon system is sometimes informally referred to as a double planet (masses are roughly proportional to volumes, not surface area).
The Earth–Moon system is sometimes informally referred to as a double planet (masses are roughly proportional to volumes, not surface area).
Artist's impression of the Eris-Dysnomia system
Artist's impression of the Eris-Dysnomia system