Is the Solar System Really a Vortex?

universetoday.com ^ | December 18, 2013 | Jason Major on

[BenLurkin]

In conclusion then, the first video and gif of the Solar System as a “vortex” are not really all that bad. Unfortunately, the inaccuracies are not due to some minor over-simplifications, but are symptoms of a some very deep-seated misunderstandings. My feeling is that if your take-home message was only that the Solar System moves through space, and the planets trace out pretty spirally paths, then all is well and no harm done. But if it’s leading you to question the heliocentric model, then we’re all buggered.

Solar system “vortex” gif (by DjSadhu)

[BenLurkin]

From the Much Ado About Nothing department...

[BenLurkin]

Solar system model by Rhys Taylor

[GeronL]

interesting animations

[cripplecreek]

It all depends on what direction of our solar system is moving in.

[freedumb2003]

Cool gifs.

And they explain the “Frisbee on the roof” syndrome.

[RadiationRomeo]

Interesting way of looking at the planetary orbits, this time including the speeding sun’s motion.

[cripplecreek]

Its missing the wobble of the sun caused by the planets orbiting.

[FourtySeven]

It’s going north of course.

[ClearCase_guy]

It’s also missing Grateful Dead music as a background track.

[GeronL]

lol

[Proud2BeRight]

I’m just tired sitting here traveling 800 mph while at a desk.

[winodog]

Me too. I also wonder “if the sun is moving through space at 500 Kms a second then how would a spaceship keep up once it left the gravity of well?”

[winodog]

Gravity well of earth.

[gura]

I learned a long time ago to worry about the things I can control, accept the things I can’t, and keep an attitude of uncertainty towards everything.

[Yo-Yo]

I also wonder “if the sun is moving through space at 500 Kms a second then how would a spaceship keep up once it left the gravity [well of Earth]?”

Because it was given that same 500 Km/S speed just by being built on Earth. It's not like a cigarette butt thrown out the window of a speeding car. There is no air resistance to slow it down.

[logitech]

Would have been a cool screen saver, back in the day.

[KarlInOhio]

Intertia. It's moving at the same speed as the sun (with the additional speed of Earth's motion around the sun and Earth's rotational speed at launch). Imagine tossing a ball out your car window when driving 65 mph, except there is no air resistance to slow it or gravity to pull it down. It would keep going 65 mph next to you, drifting sideways from you at the speed you threw it.

When the Apollo missions left Earth, they were in orbit around the sun in almost exactly the same direction and speed as the Earth.

[Tucker39]

(Music begins)....”Keep your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters; Keep your hand in the hand of the Man who calmed the seas....”
He’s got it all under control.

[CivilWarBrewing]

Hmmmm.. This theory would require the belief that the sun is revolving around something. I suppose that since the moon revolves around Earth, and Earth around the sun, then it would follow that the sun is also revolving around something and not tracking in a linear fashion.

We are merely a fractional part of a molecule or atomic particle yet unknown to man. A really big example of something that on Earth is beyond microscopic or 'nano'. Okay, now I'm freaking out. I realize just how insignificant we are. LOL

[toast]

Frame of reference.

Is the plane of the planets orbit in the same plane as disc of the Milky Way?
I assume the galaxy orbits something too. Or maybe it is just tumbling through space.