Earth/Moon system #2

Ages

Introduction

Summary

The center of mass of the Earth/Moon system is the only point which follows the circular (elliptical !) path around the sun. Notice that for a static distant observer, the moon seems to periodically go backward in its orbit, an example of retrograde motion.

Goals

• To illustrate the motion of the center of mass of the Earth / Moon system.

Features

Click on to stop the movie.

Tags

earth moon center-of-mass orbit retrogradation retrograde-motion