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Old 08-01-2007, 12:45 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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When m1(sun) is much greater than m2(planet), nothing will happen because the speed of orbit is determined by the semi-major axis of orbit. Kepler determined that the Period of orbit squared is proportional to the semi-major axis cube. (In the case of the sun and planets P^2=a^3 )

For objects of similar mass then Newton modified Keplers law to


P^2= [4pi^2 / G(m1+m2) ] a^3

Where G is the universal gravitational constant (still not accurately known ) and a is the semi-major axis of the orbit and P is the orbital Period.
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