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Can a Moon Orbit a Planet Near its South Pole?

-- Vikram | February 9, 2020

Question:

Hi,

I am wondering if it is theoretically possible for a moon to orbit such that it is always near the south pole of the planet. For instance, could a moon orbit in an ellipse parallel to the planet’s equator, but at a latitude halfway or closer to the southern pole of the planet?

Thanks!

-- Vikram

Answer:

In principle, yes, but such an orbit would not be very stable. Objects that orbit other objects settle into the lowest-energy orbit available, which would be an orbit which is near the planet’s equator and orbiting in a geostationary configuration.

-- Jeff Mangum

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