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Such a configuration would not be stable. All the planets are slightly perturbed by the other planets and so their orbits change slightly over time. So even if two planets orbited exactly opposite one another they would end up with slightly different orbits. Eventually the two planets would come close enough to interact one another through gravity, which would most likely result in a collision.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoShort answer: because all of the planets are different sizes so it takes more or less force to hold them in a still position!
Sciency explanation:
The law of universal gravitation, as well as a couple other laws of physics, say that the mass (weight) and velocity (speed) of a supermassive object (the planets) determines how it is affected by the gravity of another supermassive object (the sun).
For example, when an asteroid passes by our solar system, it gets pulled some by the sun (and somewhat less by the planets). If it's moving slowly enough, and is small enough to get 'caught' in orbit, then it will start orbiting. If it has too high of a momentum (mass times velocity - a train going at 30mph is going to do a lot more damage than a car doing the same speed, and will be a lot harder to stop), then it can just barrel right past the gravitational field of our sun, maybe only pulled a little bit. On the other hand, if the momentum is too LOW, then the sun will pull that object straight in, and basically incinerate it.
When it is within a certain range of momentum, however, and the right distance from our sun (gravity gets weaker as you get further away), then it will get 'caught' in orbit around the sun. But since every planet and asteroid has a different 'sweet spot', as it were, then the odds of two of them managing the exact same orbit are ... well, so close to zero that it will definitely never happen. Even if it did, the two objects sharing an orbit could crash, or affect one another's orbit, or a million other possibilities.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThere is only one planet in each orbital because the planet itself needs its own space and ditance because for example if any planet was closer than its orbital to Jupitar, Jupitar's gravity would pull it closer and closer until it is sucked in. Also every planet has a different mass and size that is another reason why they are apart because not all of the planets orbit the sun the same.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoAn "orbit" isn't a set thing for a planet to be in, it is the path of a sattelite, whatever it is and however many there are.
It's not like there are X amount of lanes or something.
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What planet can orbit the sun four times in the amount of time it takes earth to orbit the sun once?
Mercury. Its the closest planet to the sun and only takes 88 days to orbit once around the sun.
Is the moon a outer planet or inner planet?
The moon is not considered a planet. It is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth.
Is there any planet that does not revolve in oval orbit?
A planet revolving around a single star will always have a relatively circular or ovular path. The only time the orbit would be different would be if the planet was being pulled by the gravity of multiple stars.
What planet has not completed an orbit since its discovery?
The planet Neptune has not completed a full orbit since its discovery in 1846. It takes Neptune approximately 165 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun, so it has only completed a fraction of its first orbit since its discovery.
What is the criteria used to determine an object as a planet?
The 2006 (re)definition of a planet includes three criteria - 1) it is in orbit around the Sun, 2) it's achieved hydrostatic equilibrium (characterized by sufficient mass to have a rounded shape), 3) it has cleared the area around it orbit. Under this last criteria, Pluto, formerly considered a planet, is now classified as a dwarf planet as it has only cleared a tiny fraction of its orbit.
What planets orbit Saturn?
No planet orbits around Saturn because planets only orbit around a star like our Sun. And Saturn isn't a star, it's a planet.
What makes planets stay in orbit around the sun?
Each planet stays in its orbit because it is being pulled constantly by the Sun's gravity. The planet does not fall into the Sun because it has a velocity taking it along its orbit, so the effect of gravity is only to make the planet's path curve towards the Sun all the time.
Is the sun the only planet in the universe?
No! its not a planet it is a huge ball of gas called a 'Star' which the planets orbit around.
What planet can orbit the sun four times in the amount of time it takes earth to orbit the sun once?
Mercury. Its the closest planet to the sun and only takes 88 days to orbit once around the sun.
Is the moon a outer planet or inner planet?
The moon is not considered a planet. It is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth.
Is there any planet that does not revolve in oval orbit?
A planet revolving around a single star will always have a relatively circular or ovular path. The only time the orbit would be different would be if the planet was being pulled by the gravity of multiple stars.
How many times does the moon orbit the sun?
No one knows because no one was alive at the beginning so we can only guess how old the earth is. the moon goes around the earth once a day. the dinosaurs were born trillions of years ago, do the math!
What planet has not completed an orbit since its discovery?
The planet Neptune has not completed a full orbit since its discovery in 1846. It takes Neptune approximately 165 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun, so it has only completed a fraction of its first orbit since its discovery.
What is earthes orbit?
An orbit is the path a planet takes around the sun. Earth's orbit is an ellipse. It takes the Earth one year to travel along the elliptical path around the sun.
What is the only planet to orbit the sun on its side?
Uranus.
What is the criteria used to determine an object as a planet?
The 2006 (re)definition of a planet includes three criteria - 1) it is in orbit around the Sun, 2) it's achieved hydrostatic equilibrium (characterized by sufficient mass to have a rounded shape), 3) it has cleared the area around it orbit. Under this last criteria, Pluto, formerly considered a planet, is now classified as a dwarf planet as it has only cleared a tiny fraction of its orbit.
Do commets revolve around planets?
No. Comets only orbit the Sun or fly through interstellar space. Comets move too fast to be captured by a planet. Even if they did, they do not have enough mass to sustain an orbit around a planet. It would eventually get sucked to the surface by the plant's gravity.
