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Could there be an Earth Twin on the Other Side of the Solar System Sharing Earth’s Orbit?

-- Les | August 28, 2023

Question:

if there was a planet the same size as Earth, following the exact same orbit as Earth but 180 degress away (i.e. the other side of the sun to us). When would Earth have discovered it?

-- Les

Answer:

In fact, no. At least if we are talking about another planet, call it an “invisible twin”, on the other size of the Solar System from us sharing our orbit. This is due to the fact that we share our Solar System with several other planets, many of which exert gravitational forces on the Earth, pulling or pushing the Earth backwards and forwards a bit in its orbit over time. For example, as we are pulled a bit forwards in our orbit by the planet Jupiter, we would be able to spot our invisible twin on the other side of the Solar System as it became unmasked by the Sun. Over time, these pushes and pulls would increase, to the point where our invisible twin would be seen more frequently as we catch-up to it in our mutual orbit. If you want to see a nice description of this scenario, see Fraser Cain’s video which answers this question.

-- Jeff Mangum

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