Difference between revisions of "Natural Satellite"
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| − | + | === Natural Satellites === | |
| + | A natural satellite, often called a moon, is an astronomical body that orbits a [[world]]. Satellites always have a lower mass than their parent world and usually have a smaller diameter. | ||
| + | * In rare cases a world with a small diameter and a high mass may retain a satellite with a larger diameter but a lower mass. | ||
| + | * Worlds and satellites with similar masses and diameters may be referred to as binary planets or [[Double World]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A satellite and its parent world orbit a barycenter, their center of mass: this is the point around which they both orbit. | ||
| + | * If the parent world has substantially more mass than its satellite, the barycenter will be located within the parent world (such as [[Terra (SR 1827) (world)|Terra and Luna]] in the [[Sol (star)|Sol]] system). | ||
| + | * If the masses of the two bodies are more equal, the barycenter will lie at some point along the line of their mean separation (such as [[Pluto (world)#Charon|Pluto and Charon]] in the [[Sol (star)|Sol]] system). | ||
Revision as of 15:38, 6 June 2019
Natural Satellites
A natural satellite, often called a moon, is an astronomical body that orbits a world. Satellites always have a lower mass than their parent world and usually have a smaller diameter.
- In rare cases a world with a small diameter and a high mass may retain a satellite with a larger diameter but a lower mass.
- Worlds and satellites with similar masses and diameters may be referred to as binary planets or Double Worlds.
A satellite and its parent world orbit a barycenter, their center of mass: this is the point around which they both orbit.
- If the parent world has substantially more mass than its satellite, the barycenter will be located within the parent world (such as Terra and Luna in the Sol system).
- If the masses of the two bodies are more equal, the barycenter will lie at some point along the line of their mean separation (such as Pluto and Charon in the Sol system).