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What Would Cause the Orbit of a Planet to Change?

-- Kathy | September 21, 2022

Question:

I read that even a small change in Jupiter’s orbit would affect earth. What would cause a planet’s orbit to change?

-- Kathy

Answer:

I believe that the only way to significantly change the orbit of a planet is to have it interact with an object comparable to or more massive than the planet. Therefore, to significantly change Jupiter’s orbit would require an interaction with a very massive object.

-- Jeff Mangum

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