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What term do astronomers use for the time it takes for a planet to orbit the sun relative to the stars?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Sidereal year.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Astronomers use the term "sidereal period" to describe the time it takes for a planet to orbit the sun relative to the stars. Sidereal periods are measured based on the apparent motion of a planet against the background of fixed stars rather than against the sun. This allows for more precise measurements of a planet's orbital period.
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Is an orbit why a planet is a planet?
no because stars can orbit each other
Binary stars can be used to calculate the of stars?
Double stars, also called binary stars, are valuable to astronomers because they are the only stars of which astronomers can easily calculate their mass. They are bound to each other by gravity and orbit about a common center. The time it takes for one star to orbit the other depends on the distance between the two stars and their masses.
Do the stars or dwarf planets orbit planets?
No. Dwarf planets orbit stars just like planets do. Stars orbit the center of their galaxy. An object orbiting a planet would be a moon.
How do you know which stars have planets?
What an excellent question. It appears you already realize that if you are talking about stars other than our sun, you are talking about stars that are many lightyears away from us, and not even powerful telescopes will easily detect planets orbiting around them. One thing that astronomers can sometimes detect is the slight wobble of distant stars as planets orbit around them. You might not realize that suns would move as a result of a planet's orbit. Imagine you and a friend holding on to the ends of a rope. If you begin to move in a circle, you will each feel the centripedal force pushing you outward. Neither of you would be able to stand perfectly still while the other circled with the rope. Another thing that astronomers can detect using very sensitive equipment is the slight reduction in brightness of a star when a planet's orbit brings the planet between us and its star. If this reduction in brightness is regular enough, it may be an indication that there is a planet in orbit.
Why do astronomers find it difficult to locate extrasolar planets with telescopes-?
Light from the stars they orbit makes it difficult to see them.
Is an orbit why a planet is a planet?
no because stars can orbit each other
Does smaller planet orbit bigger planet or does bigger planet orbit smaller planet?
Planets orbit stars, not other planets. A planet-like object that orbits a planet is a moon.
What are the the path of a planet around the stars?
orbit
Could a star orbit a planet larger then itself?
well for starters, stars don't orbit planets. Planets orbit stars, but some stars don't have planets that orbit them.
Binary stars can be used to calculate the of stars?
Double stars, also called binary stars, are valuable to astronomers because they are the only stars of which astronomers can easily calculate their mass. They are bound to each other by gravity and orbit about a common center. The time it takes for one star to orbit the other depends on the distance between the two stars and their masses.
Do the stars or dwarf planets orbit planets?
No. Dwarf planets orbit stars just like planets do. Stars orbit the center of their galaxy. An object orbiting a planet would be a moon.
What makes a planet be classified as a dwarf planet instead of a moon?
Moons orbit planets. Planets (and dwarf planets) orbit stars.
How is a moon different from a planet?
Planets orbit stars, moons orbit planets. That is the only difference.
Do planets or stars orbit Venus'?
No. Venus is a planet (in orbit around the Sun) with no natural satelites.
Which planet has a day that is almost as long as its year?
Venus - it takes 243 days to spin on its axis relative to the background stars, while it takes 224.7 days to orbit the sun.
Which planet orbits the sun in 243 days?
Venus takes 243 days to spin on its axis relative to the background stars, while it takes 224.7 days to orbit the sun.
Can a star fall and hit a planet?
No. For one thing, stars are actually much larger than planets. Planets orbit stars such as the sun. It is possible, however, for the orbit of a planet to decay, in which case the planet will eventually fall into the star.
