astronomy






 

Question by  iamrenard (2)

How long would it take for the earth to orbit the sun if it were not tilted on the axis?

 
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Answer by  napdaw (25)

Earth would still be the same distance from the sun so the length of time to orbit the sun would not change. The distance from the sun determines time of orbit, not the tilting on the axis. One astronomical unit (AU) is the distance of Earth to the Sun, so even without tilt its would still be 1 AU away.

 
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Answer by  mgoodman (204)

Because it would be the same distance from the sun, the amount of time it would take for earth to revolve around the sun would not change. It is the distance from the sun that determines the time, not the tilting on the axis. If a million miles closer, then the revolution would have a shorter radius and time lenth.

Reply by iamrenard (2):
it's not just distance involved, but also speed. A spinning top's axis begins to tilt and wobble as it slows down. so if I go 10 miles at 10 miles an hour, I spend one hour, 10 miles at 5 miles an hour, two hours. speed must be factored.  add a comment
 
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