PopSci attribution given to New Scientist.
Posted on 02/27/2011 5:17:43 PM PST by SunkenCiv
It is possible that such a phenomenon could occur when matter around a newborn star forms into planets. In a planet's orbit around a star, there are two places where a third body can safely orbit. These spots, known as Lagrange points, are 120 degrees in front of and behind whichever body is smaller. The discovered co-orbiting planets, located in the four-planet system KOI-730, are always 120 degrees apart, permanent fixtures in each others' night skies.
Fifty million years after the birth of our solar system, the moon may have formed from the debris of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body named Theia. For this to be true, Theia would have to have hit earth at a relatively low speed. Richard Gott and Edward Belbruno of Princeton University say that this could only have happened if Theia had originated in a Lagrange point. The discovery of the KOI-730 planets shows that it is possible.
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
When the Days Were Shorter
Alaska Science Forum (Article #742) | November 11, 1985 | Larry Gedney
Posted on 10/04/2004 10:31:59 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
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“the moon may have formed from the debris of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body”
Complete nonsense.
I try every day but I haven’t gotten it to shake out this way yet. In fact stable near circular orbits seem relatively uncommon in this simulator.
http://www.nowykurier.com/toys/gravity/gravity.html
How can they be sure the two planets are orbiting at exactly the same distance from the sun? I know that would present an even more remarkable set of circumstances, but this universe is remarkable.
A low speed collision tears my world apart.
I love it.
But I'm gonna wait for the paperback...
Thanks for the link.
Its not a real detailed simulation but its fun to play with and does give some basic ideas of how gravity interactions play out.
And why is that nonsense? Do you imagine our God is limited in what He can do and how He can do it?
Basic is about my speed.
The planet in front has a bumper sticker that says “I brake for asteroids!”
Pardon my confusion, but wouldn't one of the pair always be smaller?
Or did they want to mean that the smaller body always determines the orbital characteristics?
“Do you imagine our God is limited in what He can do and how He can do it?”
You what? I have actually studied astronomy, and don’t take my understanding of the solar system from magazine articles.
“120-degree planet named gaia” Sheesh. People will believe anything today.
Please enlighten us as to why you believe the theory is nonsense. How do you believe the Moon came about?
It is Bizzaro Earth. Directly opposite us from the Sun so we can not see it. Obama came from there on the Mother Ship. That is where he was born and he can not show his real Birth Papers. His mission is to destroy this Earth and redistribute the wealth back to Bizzaro Earth because they already redistributed everything on the whole planet and there is nothing left.
Long as they’re going the same direction...
Why oh why did you post that link??? I’m going to be playing with that simulator for HOURS on end now!!
Anti stimulus?
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